In a few roses, such as the Cherokee rose, the stipules are attached only at their base, and stick out to the sides of the petiole. The stipule structure is often useful in rose identification. Attached to the stem, just above the petiole of each leaf, is an a xillary bud . This bud has the ability to grow into a new stem, and is the spot from which new growth would occur if you cut the stem just above that point. A node is the area to which leaves and axillary buds are attached.
Internodes are the spaces between the nodes.
So, a stem is made up of a long chain of nodes and internodes. True thorns, as you might see on a citrus tree or pyracantha bush, are modified stems, which always originate at a node and which have nodes and internodes along the length of the thorn itself. Notice on a rose bush that the prickles most often occur along the internodes, and that they do not have nodes or internodes of their own. A long, straight, needle-like prickle is an acicle . The prickles may appear to be randomly spaced, or they may occur in pairs, often just below a node.