Biennial plant

A Biennial plant (/baɪˈɛniəl/; from Latin biennium, meaning "two years") is a type of plant that completes its entire lifecycle in two years. This lifecycle is divided into two distinct growth stages separated by winter.

Etymology

The term "biennial" is derived from the Latin biennium which means "two years". It is a combination of bi- ("two") and -ennial ("yearly"), referring to the two-year lifecycle of these plants.

Lifecycle

In the first year, biennial plants undergo vegetative growth, producing stems, leaves, and roots. This stage is known as the vegetative stage. During the second year, the plant enters the reproductive stage, producing flowers, fruits, and seeds before dying.

Examples

Common examples of biennial plants include carrots, parsley, and sweet William. These plants are often grown for their edible roots or leaves in the first year, and for their seeds in the second year.

Related Terms

Annual plant: A plant that completes its lifecycle in one year.
Perennial plant: A plant that lives for more than two years, often producing flowers and seeds over many seasons.
Vegetative stage: The stage of plant growth where the plant focuses on producing leaves, stems, and roots.
Reproductive stage: The stage of plant growth where the plant produces flowers, fruits, and seeds.