Seedling
/ˈsidlɪŋ/
Definition
Seedling refers to a very young plant that has developed from a seed after germination. It is the stage after the embryo begins growing and before the plant is considered mature or well established. A seedling typically has its first root, stem, and seed leaves, called cotyledons, and may soon produce its first true leaves, which usually differ in shape from the cotyledons.
Role and Significance
- Earliest independent growth: After germination, seedling marks the stage when a young plant begins making its own food through photosynthesis, shifting away from reliance on stored seed reserves.
- High sensitivity to conditions: At this stage, roots and shoots are small and easily stressed by drought, waterlogging, low light, frost, and physical disturbance, which can strongly affect later growth.
- Foundation for establishment: Successful survival at this point determines whether a species can colonize a site, compete with nearby plants, and continue into the vegetative and later reproductive stages.
- Useful in propagation and identification: In gardening and botany, early leaf shape, stem form, and growth habit can help distinguish volunteers from weeds and guide careful transplanting before crowding develops.
Related Terms
Seed
Seed is a plant structure formed after fertilization that contains a young plant embryo, stored food, and a protective…
Germination
Germination is the biological process in which a seed resumes growth and begins developing into a seedling. It starts…
True leaves
True leaves are the first leaves a seedling produces after the seed leaves, called cotyledons. They are a plant…
Radicle
Radicle refers to the embryonic root in a seed. It is the first part of the seedling to emerge during germination…
Plumule
Plumule refers to the embryonic shoot of a seedling, found within the seed above the cotyledons, or seed leaves. It…
Hypocotyl
Hypocotyl refers to the part of a seedling stem located below the cotyledons, or seed leaves, and above the root. It is…