FFA Floriculture Practice Test

Which of the following is not a characteristic of biennial plants?

1. Seed production in the first year

2. Growth in the first year

3. Flowering in the second year

4. Withers after two years

The correct answer is: Seed production in the first year

Biennial plants are characterized by a life cycle that typically spans two years. During the first year, biennials focus on vegetative growth, developing their roots, stems, and leaves. In the second year, they undergo flowering and seed production, completing their life cycle. The option stating that seed production occurs in the first year is not accurate for biennial plants. Instead, biennials do not produce seeds until their second growing season. This is a defining feature that distinguishes them from annuals, which complete their life cycle—including seed production—within a single growing season. In addition, biennial plants will generally not wither after two years in the same sense that annuals die after one season. Instead, they may die after successfully completing their two-year life cycle, which also delineates their temporary growth habit, despite having a two-year timeframe for completion. Therefore, recognizing that seed production in the first year is not a characteristic of biennial plants is crucial in understanding their botanical classification and lifecycle.