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Life Cycle
A plant's life cycle describes how long
a plant lives or how long it takes to grow, flower, and
set seed. Plants can be either an annual,
perennial,
or biennial.
Annual
A plant that completes its life cycle in one growing season.
It will grow, flower, set seed, and die.
Examples: Marigolds, tomatoes, and petunias.
Perennial
A plant that lives for 3 or more years. It can grow, flower,
and set seed for many years. Underground parts may regrow
new stems as in the case of herbaceous
plants, or the stems may live for many years like woody
plants (trees).
Examples: Daisies, chrysanthemums, and roses.
Biennial
A plant that needs two growing seasons to complete its
life cycle. It grows vegetatively
(produces leaves) one season. Then it goes dormant
or rests over the winter. In the spring, it will begin to grow again and grow flowers, set seed,
and die. The seed that is left behind on the ground germinates and the cycle begins again.
Examples: Parsley, carrots, and foxglove.
 When
you're finished, continue to learn about plant parts...
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