Which term describes a plant that lives for more than two years, often five or more?

Which term describes a plant that lives for more than two years, often five or more?

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

Answer: (B)

Understanding plant lifespans helps describe how long a plant persists. A perennial is a plant that lives for more than two years, often five or more. Because perennials survive across multiple growing seasons, they regrow from the same root system or underground storage each year after dormancy, rather than finishing their life cycle in a single season. This distinguishes them from annuals, which complete their life cycle in one year and die, and from biennials, which take two years to finish their life cycle and typically flower in the second year. Ephemerals are even shorter-lived, appearing briefly for a short period and then disappearing. Perennials include many garden favorites like peonies and hostas, as well as trees and many grasses.

Understanding plant lifespans helps describe how long a plant persists. A perennial is a plant that lives for more than two years, often five or more. Because perennials survive across multiple growing seasons, they regrow from the same root system or underground storage each year after dormancy, rather than finishing their life cycle in a single season. This distinguishes them from annuals, which complete their life cycle in one year and die, and from biennials, which take two years to finish their life cycle and typically flower in the second year. Ephemerals are even shorter-lived, appearing briefly for a short period and then disappearing. Perennials include many garden favorites like peonies and hostas, as well as trees and many grasses.