Bean seedling. Hand holding a scarlet runner bean seedling, Phaseolus coccineus, soon after germination. The bean has developed lateral roots (at lower centre) and its leaves have started to unfold (at upper centre). The lateral roots develop from the main root, the first part of the bean to break through the seed coat. Their role is to anchor the seedling in the soil and collect water and minerals. The leaves grow away from gravity or towards light and enable the plant to make food from sunlight. The bean remains dormant until the right conditions trigger germination.