Biennial plant

Two-year plants (also called bienne ) are herbaceous plants whose life cycle ( from germination to seed formation ) is two years. This refers not twice 365 days but two growing seasons, so a time / vegetation period before and after a climatically unfavorable time ( Frost / winter or dry season). They differ from the multiannual, long live several growing seasons and the annuals that live only one growing season long.

In the first year after germination they remain purely vegetative, that is, they form only roots and foliage and store nutrients. Only in the second growing season ( after the frost or the dry season ), they form the flowers and the fruits with the seeds. After the maturity of the seeds they die.

Crops

Some two-year crop, where you use something other than fruit and seeds only be considered as annuals. A well-known example is the turnip. Its root is used only in the first year. In the second year / the stored nutrients for flowering would be depleted.

Under favorable climatic conditions and at some earlier sowing biennials can also enter in the first year flowering.

Some examples of biennial plants:

  • Beet, sugar beet
  • Parsnip
  • Fennel
  • Carrot
  • Caraway
  • Cabbage
  • Giant hogweed ( Heracleum mantegazzianum )
  • Woad ( Isatis tinctoria )
  • Thimble
  • Leek
  • Parsley
  • Plant Type
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