Plant species that complete their lifecycle in one season are known as ________.

We see a variety of plants around us. Despite the fact that all of them have same parts and functions, they are different. They appear distinctive with different types of leaves, flowers, stem, etc. Hence, classification of plants can be based on many factors. Plants can be classified based on their height, tenderness of stem and branches based on their life cycle.

Let us have an overview of classification of plants in detail.

Also refer: Plants – Classification Based On Growth Habit

If we consider plants based on their height some are too short while some are too tall. Most of the short plants have green coloured, thin, weak stems, whereas, the big and tall plants have thick, strong and woody stems that are hard to break.

Plants can also be classified as annuals, biennials and perenials based on their lifespan. Each of these classifications is described below.

A plant’s life span begins with the seed germination and continues till it bears flowers and fruits in particular season.  Based on their life span, plants are classified into three types, namely:

Annuals

Annuals are plants that complete their life cycle in one year. They germinate, grow, bear fruits and die off within an year. Generally, all herbs and plants belonging to the grass family exhibit this type of life cycle. Mustard, watermelon, corn, lettuce wheat, are a few examples of annual plants.

Lifespan of Rice Plant

Rice is a type of grass and is the staple food for millions of people across the world. It is an annual crop with an average lifespan of 4 – 8 months. It goes through three main stages before it is harvested – vegetative stage, reproductive stage and ripening stage.

Biennials

Biennials are plants that complete their life cycle in two years. They germinate, develop a root system, stem and leaves in the first year. Later in their second year, they yield flowers and bear fruit. A few herbs are also classified as biennials, including spinach. Along with spinach and other herbs, biennials also include carrot, cabbage, petunias radish, onions, etc.

Perennials

Perennials are plants which complete their life cycle in more than two years. Once they grow, they start to bear flowers, produce fruits, seeds and the cycle continues for a longer period of time.  They do not die after bearing fruits but renew their parts, season after season. Along with a few shrubs, trees are all classified into perennials. For Eg., tomatoes, ginger, banana, mango, coconut, palm, banyan, etc.

Also Read: Parts of Plants

This was a brief introduction to the classification of plants based on their life span. Learn more about plants, its types, examples, its importance and other related topics only at BYJU’S Biology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Based on its life cycle, a plant is classified as an annual, biennial or perennial.

An annual, such as a zinnia, completes its life cycle in one year. Annuals are said to go from seed to seed in one year or growing season. During this period, they grow, mature, bloom, produce seeds and die.

There are both winter and summer annual weeds, and understanding a weed's life cycle is important in controlling it. Summer annuals complete their life cycle during spring and summer; most winter annuals complete their growing season during fall and winter.

Biennials

A biennial requires all or part of two years to complete its life cycle. During the first season, it produces vegetative structures (leaves) and food storage organs. The plant overwinters and then produces flowers, fruit and seeds during its second season. Swiss chard, carrots, beets, sweet William and parsley are examples of biennials.

Sometimes biennials go from seed germination to seed production in only one growing season. This situation occurs when extreme environmental conditions, such as drought or temperature variation, cause the plant to pass rapidly through the equivalent of two growing seasons. This phenomenon is referred to as bolting. Sometimes bolting occurs when biennial plant starts are exposed to a cold spell before being planted in the garden.

Perennials

Perennial plants live more than two years and are grouped into two categories: herbaceous perennials and woody perennials. Herbaceous perennials have soft, nonwoody stems that generally die back to the ground each winter. New stems grow from the plant's crown each spring. Trees and shrubs, on the other hand, have woody stems that withstand cold winter temperatures. They are referred to as woody perennials.

Previously titled

Plant Life Cycles

This piece is part of the collection Botany Basics