Annual and Perennial (Biennial)

Annual plants die each year, with a new generation replacing them the next year.

Perennial plants live for more than a year. Biennial plants live about 2 years.

Annual plants can take advantage of short growing seasons, when conditions are optimal. For instance, a wet spring can produce lots of annuals that take advantage of the plentiful water, with no need to reserve energy to survive a subsequent dry period.

Wild Oats – photo courtesy William Follette

Perennial Plants build up roots and stems that help them to grow and thrive over more than one year.

Want more? See Wikipedia.

Corrections/Comments: bruce@PlantID.net