Member of the SPL (squamosa-promoter binding protein-like) gene family, a novel gene family encoding DNA binding proteins and putative transcription factors. In conjunction with SPL10 and SPL11, SPL2 redundantly controls proper development of lateral organs in association with shoot maturation in the reproductive phase. SPL2, SPL10, and SPL11, suppress root regeneration with age by inhibiting wound-induced auxin biosynthesis.