Which term is used to describe a two-year life cycle in plants?

Which term is used to describe a two-year life cycle in plants?

• A. Biennial
• B. Annual
• C. Perennial
• D. Single-season

Answer: (A)

In botany, plant life cycles are described by how many growing seasons a plant needs to complete its reproduction. A two-year life cycle is called biennial. In the first year, a biennial grows vegetatively—producing leaves and a storage root or bulb—and then often overwinters. In the second year, it flowers and sets seeds before dying, completing the two-year cycle. This distinguishes it from annuals, which finish their life cycle in one growing season, and perennials, which live for many years and can flower repeatedly. The term single-season isn’t a formal botanical category, so it isn’t used to describe a two-year life cycle.

In botany, plant life cycles are described by how many growing seasons a plant needs to complete its reproduction. A two-year life cycle is called biennial. In the first year, a biennial grows vegetatively—producing leaves and a storage root or bulb—and then often overwinters. In the second year, it flowers and sets seeds before dying, completing the two-year cycle. This distinguishes it from annuals, which finish their life cycle in one growing season, and perennials, which live for many years and can flower repeatedly. The term single-season isn’t a formal botanical category, so it isn’t used to describe a two-year life cycle.