Aeonium, hens and chicks and other succulents are often in a rosette.
Rosette plants are actually a development stage for many types of plant. A rosette is characterized by radiating leaves, a low -- less than 1-inch-high -- habit and a central growing point. The rosette may be persistent or temporary, disappearing as the plant matures. The rosette form is caused by the lack of stem development which draws the leaves together basally. Many species start life in the rosette shape; most are biennials or perennials.
Reasons for a Rosette
The rosette has wide flat leaves that spread out and do not overlap. This gives it the best exposure to the sun and close contact with the warming soil in spring. The winter rosette can continue growing even under the snow and is especially suited for temperate climates. The low growth habit also protects plants from browsing animals. In some plants, such as hollyhocks, the stem of the plant dies back in fall but the basal leaves retain the rosette so it can continue on until spring when it grows another flower stalk. The rosette allows the living roots to continue to receive food supplies even in the winter and prevents the need for a dormant period.
Biennial Rosettes
Biennial rosettes will form the basal leaf structure in the first year of the plant's life, when it is establishing a root structure and storage system. In the second year, the plant will grow up, usually into a stemmed formation, and will no longer need the rosette. It abandons the habit and branches out. Turnips and parsnips are two plants that exhibit the biennial rosette habit. Biennials will spend the second year producing seed and then will subside.
Perennial Rosettes
Perennial plants use the rosette form temporarily as an early season growth device. Once sunlight and warm temperatures arrive, the plant no longer needs the rosette and commences creating a stalk or stem. The rosette is used during the establishment of the plant, which then moves to its mature form. The basal leaves of a rosette are not useful once a species is ready to spread out or up since they are too small and low to collect adequate sun energy for larger plants. The form is abandoned in favor of higher and larger foliage shapes. Strawberries are perennial rosettes that overwinter in close tight leaf clusters only to spring forth as temperatures warm and grow and spread through runners.
Perpetual Rosettes
Some plants retain the rosette form for their entire life. These plants are usually growing in areas with limited resources and extreme temperatures. The form protects them from high winds and helps conserve moisture; the tight habit repels grazers. Succulent plants and some cactus are notoriously shaped in rosette forms. Other permanent rosettes will form a stalk but retain the shape at the base. The dandelion is one such plant. Perpetual rosettes may be annual or perennial. The perpetual rosette is also abundant in alpine and polar environments.
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