Phyllotaxy and Floral Development

During germination, the curved hypocotyl pushes up though the soil, then the seedling plant elongates linearly upward. It then transitions to a form of sympodial growth that results in a bifurcating branch pattern. This represents the transition from a juvenile to mature plant. Each uchuva stem has a primary leaf, flower and two lateral meristems resulting in frequent branching. The phyllotaxy of the main leaves and spurs inserted in a stem is always alternate. Floral, vegetative, and fruit development thus occur simultaneously. The plant growth and development patterns of uchuva are characterized by a phenological scale.