Each plant has a differently shaped ligule, and also differently shaped auricles. Growth and development of most small grains is similar and is divided into ten general stages, though more specific growth staging scales are available. The coleoptile protrudes through the ground approximately 5-7 days after planting and is often the first visible sign of plant development. The third leaf is the first true foliage leaf. A new leaf is counted when it has exceeded one half the length of the leaf below it.
Tillers are shoots that develop from nodes on the main stem.
The coleoptilar tiller arises early in development, and the tillering stage is best defined when axillary tillers emerge, typically after the third leaf develops. Tillers that emerge after the fifth flag leaf contribute little to yield and often abort. The variety of grain, cultural practices such as seeding rate, soil quality and temperature determine number of tillers. The tillering stage begins in fall for overwintering varieties, and development of tillers continues in the spring. The growing point of the plant remains under the soil during the seedling and tillering stages, and plants can survive grazing and foliar damage.