Pfropf

Pfropf is a German noun with several related meanings. In botany and horticulture, a Pfropf is the graft or the piece of plant material (such as a scion or bud) that is joined to another plant to propagate or combine traits. In medicine, a Pfropf refers to a thrombus or blood clot that can obstruct a vessel. In everyday language, it can also mean a stopper or cork used to seal a bottle, pipe, or opening. The term may appear as Pfropf (the object) or in compounds with pfropfen as the verb, to graft or to plug.

In grafting, the Pfropf is the part of a plant prepared to be attached to a rootstock. The aim is to fuse the vascular tissues so that the two different plants grow as one. Common grafting techniques include budding, whip-and-tongue, cleft, and approach grafting. Successful grafting depends on cambial compatibility, precise alignment, and secure binding or sealing to protect the union during healing.

In medicine, a Pfropf denotes a blood clot that can block arteries or veins. Such clots may form after injury, surgery, or in disorders of coagulation and can cause ischemia or infarction depending on location. Diagnosis relies on imaging and coagulation tests; treatment ranges from anticoagulants to thrombolysis or mechanical removal, with prevention focusing on risk-factor management and mobility after surgery.

As a stopper, Pfropf also refers to a cork or plug used to seal containers or pipes. These plugs may be inserted to prevent leakage or contamination and can be removed when access is required.

Etymology traces Pfropf to historical Germanic roots for plug or stopper, with related forms such as Pfropfen.