The axillary buds in the leaf crown of Cyperus alternifolius seedlings remain completely inhibited although the shoot is determinate and has no active apex. Buds can be released by detachment of the crown from the plant or by direct application of aqueous enzyladenine (BA), and grow out as inflorescences or vegetative shoots. These arise from activated growth centers of the primordial reproductive branch system which is enclosed within the prophyll of the inhibited bud. Buds are also released by the growth retardant, (2-chloroethyl) trimethylammonium chloride (CCC). Gibberellic acid maintains bud inhibition in detached crowns and inhibits bud release caused by CCC or BA. Naphthaleneacetic acid somewhat reduces BA-induced bud release and causes abnormal root proliferation in CCC-treated crowns. It is suggested that a high level of gibberellin within the crown, possibly in relation to a low level of cytokinin, maintains bud inhibition.