Carpetweed leaves are grouped into whorls at each joint on the stem. How many leaves are typically in a whorl?

Carpetweed leaves are grouped into whorls at each joint on the stem. How many leaves are typically in a whorl?

• A. Three to four
• B. Five to six
• C. Seven to eight
• D. Nine to ten

Answer: (B)

Carpetweed shows a whorled leaf arrangement, where multiple leaves radiate around the stem at each node. The typical number in each whorl is five to six leaves. This five-to-six pattern is a reliable clue for identifying carpetweed in turf, distinguishing it from plants with only two leaves per node (opposite) or a single leaf per node (alternate), and from species that form larger or smaller whorls. So, five to six leaves per whorl best matches how carpetweed naturally grows, making it the correct choice.

Carpetweed shows a whorled leaf arrangement, where multiple leaves radiate around the stem at each node. The typical number in each whorl is five to six leaves. This five-to-six pattern is a reliable clue for identifying carpetweed in turf, distinguishing it from plants with only two leaves per node (opposite) or a single leaf per node (alternate), and from species that form larger or smaller whorls. So, five to six leaves per whorl best matches how carpetweed naturally grows, making it the correct choice.