to place a portion (the scion) of one plant in close cambial contact with the cambium of another plant or another part of the same plant (generally a rootstock), with the object of securing vegetative union between the two, the scion being detached from its parent plant either before or after the operation —note 1. both the site of union and the composite individual are termed grafts —note 2. the genotype, but not necessarily the phenotype of the rootstock and the scion, remains unchanged after grafting —note 3. vegetative union occurring naturally is termed a natural graft, most commonly between roots (root graft) —see bud, clone, stock, vegetative propagation This definition last updated 10/27/2008