Which term describes plants with non-woody stems?

Which term describes plants with non-woody stems?

• A. Herbaceous
• B. Woody
• C. Evergreen
• D. Annual

Answer: (A)

Non-woody stems indicate herbaceous plants. Herbaceous stems are flexible and lack the hard, lignified tissue that wood provides, so the stems are often green and can die back at the end of the growing season. Many annuals and perennials rely on these soft stems and regrow from roots or crowns rather than from durable wood. This is different from woody plants, which develop thick, persistent stems that persist year after year. Evergreen and annual describe other traits—whether leaves stay green year-round or how long the plant lives—not whether the stems are woody. So the term for plants with non-woody stems is herbaceous.

Non-woody stems indicate herbaceous plants. Herbaceous stems are flexible and lack the hard, lignified tissue that wood provides, so the stems are often green and can die back at the end of the growing season. Many annuals and perennials rely on these soft stems and regrow from roots or crowns rather than from durable wood. This is different from woody plants, which develop thick, persistent stems that persist year after year. Evergreen and annual describe other traits—whether leaves stay green year-round or how long the plant lives—not whether the stems are woody. So the term for plants with non-woody stems is herbaceous.