A/an ____ plant completes its life cycle in one year or growing season.

A/an ____ plant completes its life cycle in one year or growing season.

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

Answer: (C)

Annual plants complete their life cycle in one growing season. They germinate, grow, flower, produce seeds, and die all within that single year, so their entire life cycle fits into one season. This differs from biennials, which take two years to complete their cycle (usually growing first year, flowering second), and from perennials, which live for many years and can flower repeatedly. Ephemeral describes plants with an especially short life span under certain conditions, but it isn’t the standard term used to describe a one-year life cycle. Examples of annuals include corn, lettuce, and marigolds.

Annual plants complete their life cycle in one growing season. They germinate, grow, flower, produce seeds, and die all within that single year, so their entire life cycle fits into one season. This differs from biennials, which take two years to complete their cycle (usually growing first year, flowering second), and from perennials, which live for many years and can flower repeatedly. Ephemeral describes plants with an especially short life span under certain conditions, but it isn’t the standard term used to describe a one-year life cycle. Examples of annuals include corn, lettuce, and marigolds.