Budding is a form of asexual reproduction seen in some plants and animals. In this process, a new organism develops from a small growth, or bud, on the parent. This bud eventually separates and becomes an independent individual. For example, the hydra, a small freshwater animal, reproduces by budding, allowing it to create clones of itself. In plants, budding can also refer to the way new shoots or flowers emerge from existing stems. This is common in many species, such as roses, where a bud can grow into a beautiful flower. Budding helps these organisms grow and spread without needing seeds.