Which description correctly summarizes the life cycles of annuals, biennials, and perennials?

• A. Annuals live less than a year; Biennials live two growing seasons; Perennials live at least 2 years and may reproduce by seed or vegetatively.
• B. Biennials live two growing seasons; Perennials live only one year; Annuals live two years.
• C. Annuals only reproduce vegetatively; Biennials only produce seeds; Perennials never reproduce.
• D. Annuals and biennials reproduce only by seed.

Answer: (A)

Understanding how long a plant lives and how it reproduces helps categorize annuals, biennials, and perennials. Annuals complete their life cycle in one growing season, going from germination to seed production and then dying. Biennials need two growing seasons to finish their life cycle, typically growing vegetatively in the first year and flowering with seed production in the second. Perennials persist for multiple years and can reproduce repeatedly, usually by seed but also through vegetative means such as runners, rhizomes, or tubers.

The description that matches these patterns is that annuals live less than a year, biennials live two growing seasons, and perennials live at least two years and may reproduce by seed or vegetatively. The other statements misstate at least one aspect—for example, perennials are not limited to a one-year lifespan, and annuals are not restricted to reproducing vegetatively (many reproduce by seed).