Which type of weed forms a rosette of leaves in its first year?

Biennial weeds are characterized by their growth cycle, which spans two years. In the first year, they typically form a rosette of leaves close to the ground. This rosette structure allows them to gather sunlight and energy during the cooler months and store it in their root systems. In the second year, biennial weeds will bolt, producing flowers and seeds, after which they typically die.

This growth habit distinguishes biennial from annual and perennial weeds. Annual weeds complete their life cycle in one year, flowering and producing seeds in the same season. Perennial weeds, on the other hand, live for multiple years and may not display a distinct rosette stage, instead growing and spreading over time. Invasive weeds can belong to any of these categories and may or may not exhibit the rosette formation. Thus, the unique rosette formation in the first year is a defining feature of biennial weeds.