Which type of plants are typically associated with woody stems?

Woody stems are generally characteristic of perennial plants. These plants have the ability to live for multiple years, establishing a vigorous growth pattern that includes developing woody tissues which provide structural support. Unlike annual plants, which complete their life cycle in one growing season and do not develop woody stems, or biennial plants, which live for two years but typically do not develop significant woody structures until their second year, perennials can develop extensive root systems and robust stems that allow them to survive through various seasons.

Herbaceous plants, on the other hand, usually have soft, non-woody stems and may die back to the ground at the end of the growing season. This makes the distinction clear: while herbaceous plants may exhibit annual, biennial, or perennial growth cycles, it is the perennial plants that are predominantly associated with woody stems, making them distinct in both form and longevity in the plant kingdom.