Which term describes a plant that completes its life cycle in two years?

Which term describes a plant that completes its life cycle in two years?

• A. Monocarpic
• B. Annual
• C. Biennial
• D. Perennial

Answer: (C)

Life cycle duration in plants is described by terms like annual, biennial, and perennial. A plant that completes its life cycle in two growing seasons fits the term biennial. In the first year it typically focuses on vegetative growth and energy storage, and in the second year it flowers, sets seed, and often dies. This distinguishes it from annuals, which finish in one year, and from perennials, which live for multiple years and can flower more than once. Monocarpic means the plant dies after flowering, which can apply to both annuals and biennials, but it doesn’t specify a two-year lifecycle, so the two-year duration is captured most precisely by biennial.

Life cycle duration in plants is described by terms like annual, biennial, and perennial. A plant that completes its life cycle in two growing seasons fits the term biennial. In the first year it typically focuses on vegetative growth and energy storage, and in the second year it flowers, sets seed, and often dies. This distinguishes it from annuals, which finish in one year, and from perennials, which live for multiple years and can flower more than once. Monocarpic means the plant dies after flowering, which can apply to both annuals and biennials, but it doesn’t specify a two-year lifecycle, so the two-year duration is captured most precisely by biennial.