What is the term to describe a plant that grows, reproduces, and dies all in one year or season?

Annuals are plants that only last for one year or season, usually from spring until autumn. Several flowers fall into this category, such as geraniums, petunias, and marigolds. Although they are short lived, their flowers tend to bloom for an entire season. They also produce many seeds, which can been planted and grown the following year. Once the plant loses its flowers, it dies and does not produce new ones.

Plants that live for several years are known as perennials. These include flowers such as daisies and hollyhock, and herbs like lavender and sage. Perennials do not die after producing seed; they continue their cycle of seed production into the year.

Many food plants are also annual plants. Whilst perennials, such as blackberries, reproduce every year, farmers and gardeners usually have to sow other vegetables and herbs every year. Tomatoes, sweet potatoes and bell peppers are examples of plants that are grown as annuals, although on occasion may bloom the following year depending on how they are looked after. True annual food plants include corn, wheat, rice, lettuces, peas, watermelons, and beans.