New leaves loosely creased along the main vein in bud. Taproot grows deep rapidly. By 6 weeks, creeping lateral roots have developed, typically in the top 30 cm of soil. Leaf size and shape vary greatly depending on environmental conditions such as light intensity, soil moisture, and frequency of cultivation or defoliation. Roots cord-like, white, fleshy, brittle.
Rhizomes grow to the soil surface and produce new shoots.
Roots can penetrate soil to a depth of 3 m or more depending on the availability of soil moisture. Most horizontal creeping roots develop in the top 60 cm of soil. Root systems competitively extract soil moisture and can survive extended periods of drought and repeated cultivation. April-October or until the first frost. Stigmas 2, linear, cylindrical , not flattened.