A rosette in botany refers to a circular arrangement of leaves or leaf-like structures, commonly found in flowering plants near the soil or at the top of a branch or trunk. This structure is a modified stem where the internode gaps between the leaves do not expand, keeping the leaves clustered tightly together. Various plant families exhibit rosette morphology, with notable examples in Asteraceae (dandelions), Brassicaceae (cabbage), and Bromeliaceae. Rosettes often form in perennial plants, serving as a protective measure when the upper foliage dies back, or due to shortened internodes along a stem. They are also hard to pull from the ground, providing a protective function, as seen in the case of the dandelion. Additionally, the rosette form is characterized by the relationship of its parts and variations within it, as observed in different plant species. This growth form has been confirmed to improve survival, help water balance, and protect plants from cold injury, particularly in tropical alpine environments. Notable examples include Espeletia schultzii and Espeletia timotensis from the Andes.

Rosette Mercedes Saraiva Batarda (1 October 1916 – 28 May 2005) was a prominent Portuguese botanist and taxonomist known for her significant contributions to plant taxonomy and systematics. She married Abílio Fernandes, also a renowned botanist and taxonomist. Rosette's academic journey began at the Escola Secundária Maria Amália Vaz de Carvalho, and she graduated in Biological Sciences from the University of Lisbon in 1941. Her marriage to Abilio Fernandes, a fellow botanist, led them to settle in Coimbra, where they collaborated on botanical research. Rosette's work involved reorganizing and updating the classification of herbarium material, publishing an index of seeds, and participating in numerous botanical collecting trips in Portugal and expeditions to Mozambique. Throughout her career, she attended international congresses and authored around 250 papers, focusing on plant systematics, karyology, ethnobotany, and the history of botany. Notably, she described over fifty taxa new to science and made significant contributions to various flora publications, including Flora Europaea and Flora of Mozambique. Rosette Batarda Fernandes is commemorated in several plant species, a testament to her lasting impact on the field of botany. Her work continues to be highly regarded in the scientific community.