seedling

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Young fig tree seedling with several broad green leaves, a slender brown stem, and an exposed, branching root system.

Watch the seedling of sycamore maple

seedling

botany

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July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

Young fig tree seedling with several broad green leaves, a slender brown stem, and an exposed, branching root system. — stem Leaves, stem, and root system of a fig tree seedling (Ficus).

A seedling is a young plant grown from a seed. Its early development begins with the emergence of the primary root from the seed, followed by cell division and organ formation. Initially, the seedling relies on stored reserves within the seed, such as in the endosperm or cotyledons, for nourishment. These reserves are mobilized by enzymes to fuel growth.12

Environmental factors like gravity and light significantly influence a seedling's development and orientation. The root typically grows downward (positively geotropic), while the shoot grows upward (negatively geotropic) and towards light (positively phototropic). Seedlings can undergo either hypogeal (belowground) or epigeal (aboveground) germination, depending on whether the cotyledons emerge from the seed. Eventually, the seedling becomes self-supporting through photosynthesis and develops into a mature plant.23

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germination
Seedling emergence
Active growth in the embryo, other than swelling resulting from imbibition, usually begins with the emergence of the primary root, known as the radicle, from the seed, although in some species (e.g., the coconut) the shoot, or plumule, emerges first. Early growth is…
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Active growth in the embryo, other than swelling resulting from imbibition, usually begins with the emergence of the primary root, known as the radicle, from the seed, although in some species (e.g., the coconut) the shoot, or plumule, emerges first. Early growth is…
Read More

angiosperm
Seedlings
Mature seeds of most angiosperms pass through a dormant period before eventually developing into a plant. The life span of angiosperm seeds varies from just a few days (e.g., sugar maple, Acer saccharum) to over a thousand years (e.g., sacred lotus, Nelumbo nucifera). Successful…
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Mature seeds of most angiosperms pass through a dormant period before eventually developing into a plant. The life span of angiosperm seeds varies from just a few days (e.g., sugar maple, Acer saccharum) to over a thousand years (e.g., sacred lotus, Nelumbo nucifera). Successful…
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plant
Variations involving seed plants
…it germinates to produce a seedling.
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…it germinates to produce a seedling.
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transplant
Seedlings are hardened up for a day or two outside before transplanting. A day that is cloudy or rainy, windless, and cool is ideal for transplanting garden plants. The roots must be kept moist and intact. Newly transplanted small plants require a few days of…
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Seedlings are hardened up for a day or two outside before transplanting. A day that is cloudy or rainy, windless, and cool is ideal for transplanting garden plants. The roots must be kept moist and intact. Newly transplanted small plants require a few days of…
Read More