Which type of plant completes its life cycle in one year?

The correct answer is annual because annual plants are characterized by their life cycle, which is completed within a single year. These plants typically germinate from seed, grow, flower, and produce seeds within the same growing season. After they have set seed, they die, leaving behind seeds to germinate the following year. Common examples of annual plants include many garden vegetables and flowers, such as sunflowers, zinnias, and tomatoes.

Other types of plants, such as perennials, live for more than two years, and their life cycle involves multiple growing seasons, often going through cycles of dormancy and resumption of growth. Biennials require two years to complete their life cycle, typically establishing vegetative growth in the first year and flowering in the second. Lastly, the term ecotype refers to genetically distinct populations of a species that have adapted to specific environmental conditions, not to their life cycle duration. This biological understanding is fundamental for effective weed management in turf and ornamental settings.