Which statement describes biennial plants?

• A. They require 2 years to develop, with a rosette and taproot in year one, and flowering in year two.
• B. They live only one year.
• C. They live for more than five years and never die.
• D. They reproduce only vegetatively.

Answer: (B)

Biennial plants complete a two-year life cycle: in the first year they grow vegetatively, often forming a rosette with a taproot to store energy, and in the second year they flower, produce seeds, and then die. The statement that describes this two-year pattern—vegetative growth with a rosette and taproot in the first year, followed by flowering in the second year—best captures what biennials are. The other descriptions describe different life histories: living only one year defines annuals; living for more than five years and never dying defines perennials; reproducing only vegetatively isn’t the defining trait of biennials, since many biennials reproduce sexually in their second year. For example, carrots and foxglove are classic biennials, growing in year one and flowering in year two.