In grafting, the scion is the

• A. Underground portion of a grafted plant
• B. Dried wax surrounding a graft
• C. Shoot with dormant buds that is grafted onto a rootstock
• D. Tool used to cut plants apart

Answer: (C)

The scion is the shoot with dormant buds that is grafted onto a rootstock. This piece comes from the desired cultivar and supplies the above-ground characteristics you want, such as fruit type or growth habit. When grafted, the cambial layers of the scion and rootstock must align to form a continuous vascular connection, enabling the transfer of water, nutrients, and signals between root and shoot. The rootstock provides the root system, vigor, and adaptation to soil conditions, while the scion determines the visible and productive traits of the plant. The other descriptions—an underground portion, protective wax around the graft, and the cutting tool—refer to the rootstock, protection material, and equipment, not the scion itself.