A biennial plant completes its life cycle in how many growing seasons?

A biennial plant completes its life cycle in how many growing seasons?

• A. One growing season
• B. Three growing seasons
• C. Two growing seasons
• D. Four growing seasons

Answer: (C)

Two growing seasons are needed for a biennial plant to complete its life cycle. In the first year, the plant focuses on vegetative growth—developing leaves, stems, and usually a storage organ—to accumulate energy. It often survives the winter in a nonflowering state. In the second year, that stored energy is used to produce flowers and seeds, and the plant typically dies after seed production. This distinguishes biennials from annuals, which finish in one growing season, and from perennials, which persist and can flower over multiple years.

Two growing seasons are needed for a biennial plant to complete its life cycle. In the first year, the plant focuses on vegetative growth—developing leaves, stems, and usually a storage organ—to accumulate energy. It often survives the winter in a nonflowering state. In the second year, that stored energy is used to produce flowers and seeds, and the plant typically dies after seed production. This distinguishes biennials from annuals, which finish in one growing season, and from perennials, which persist and can flower over multiple years.