What is a characteristic of a plant labeled as an annual?

A plant characterized as an annual is defined by its lifecycle, which is completed within one year. This means that the plant germinates, grows, flowers, sets seed, and dies all within a single growing season. Annuals can thrive in various environments, and they often grow quickly and produce a substantial number of seeds, which ensures their survival and ability to reproduce in the following years through new plants.

In contrast, the other characteristics mentioned refer to different plant classifications. For example, perennials are the plants that live for multiple years, while biennials complete their life cycles over two years. Plants that die back every winter are often biennials or perennials that may go dormant in cold weather, and those that only grow vegetatively without flowering are typically classified as vegetative growth forms rather than true annuals. Overall, the defining feature of annuals is their rapid lifecycle culminating within a single year.