This stage of regeneration is characterized by the elongation and flattening of the blastema cone. It has been known for many years that this stage also marks an important transition for regenerates. Regeneration stages prior to this stage, are nerve dependent. That is, they will not regenerate if the nerves that reach down to the amputation site have been destroyed in some way. The late bud stage marks the transition of regenerating limbs to a nerve independent state. Recent work in the lab showed that FGF-2 can allow limb regeneration to proceed in denervated stumps that are at an earlier nerve dependent stage.