dormancy & seasonal growth cycles

DORMANCY & SEASONAL GROWTH CYCLES

Annuals

Biennials

Perennials

DORMANCYPeriod of time when the growth or activity of a plant or seed stops due to changes in temperature or amount of water

Dormancy allows various species to survive in particular environments.

SEASONAL GROWTH CYCLES

InfluencesTemperatureAmount of waterAmount of daylight

Determined by:Where plants liveHow they reproduceRoles they play in their environment

ANNUALS

ANNUALSOnce per year – whole life cycle in one seasonNeeds to be replanted the next yearSeeds are the dormant formExamples:Many weedsVegetablesGrainsWild Flowers

BIENNIALS

BIENNIALSEvery two yearsEntire life cycle in two yearsYear one – roots, stems, leavesYear two – flowers and seeds

Examples:CarrotsFoxgloveParsley

PERENNIALS

PERENNIALSDo not die every year or every other yearPersist for many growing seasonsHerbaciousHerbs such as coneflower and basil

WoodyDeciduous – loose leaves all at once (Autumn)Conifers/Evergreens – loose needles, but not all at once

DORMANCY

Restated

PERENNIALS - DORMANCYSeasonal Changes in Trees to survive the winter. All trees lose their leaves at some point. Stop taking in water so the xylem will not freeze.

Trees like pines and holly lose their leaves/needles all through out the year.