When a plant sprouts from a seed it first sends out a root to hold it into the ground and collect water then it sends up a shoot into the air. The shoot only rises a little way above the ground before leaves grow from its sides.
Leaves are vital. They make the plant's food. If the first leaves do not grow quickly the plant is doomed, as it will soon run out of the food stored in its seed and then simply starve to death.
