Texas Pesticide Applicator Practice Exam

Which of the following terms describes plants that live for only one growing season?

1. Perennial

2. Annual

3. Biennial

4. Deciduous

The correct answer is: Annual

The term that describes plants living for only one growing season is annual. Annual plants complete their life cycle—from germination to seed production—within a single year. This includes germinating in the spring, growing and flowering in the summer, and then dying off in the fall, leaving behind seeds for the next cycle. In contrast, perennial plants come back year after year, while biennials take two growing seasons to complete their life cycles. Deciduous refers to trees, shrubs, or plants that lose their leaves in the winter, which is unrelated to the lifespan of the plant. Understanding these classifications helps in recognizing plant behaviors and their roles in ecosystems or agriculture.