Plants that require more than two years to complete their life cycle are known as what?

The correct identification of plants that require more than two years to complete their life cycle is perennial plants. Perennials are characterized by their ability to live for multiple years, often returning each growing season after a period of dormancy. Unlike annual plants, which complete their life cycle in a single year, and biennial plants, which require two years to develop from seed to maturity, perennials can last for many years, returning with new growth from their root systems or crowns.

An important aspect of perennials is their adaptations to survive over seasons, which can include deep root systems, storage of energy in bulbs or tubers, and foliage that may die back to the ground in winter, only to regrow in spring. This long-term growth cycle allows them to be key components in many ecosystems, providing stable habitats, food sources, and structural diversity.

In contrast, annual plants complete their life cycle in one year, while biennial plants require two years; neither fits the definition of taking more than two years to mature. Seasonal plants can refer to crops or plants that are relevant to a specific season but does not accurately describe a long-term life cycle. Thus, the term "perennial plants" accurately describes those that thrive and regenerate over multiple years