In the world of botany, there are classifications for the immense variety of plants that exist all over the world. If you have wondered what type of plant an omnivorous animal eats, this is the article for you. We will be talking about perennial plants or better known as evergreen species.
You will start knowing what this type of plant is, the most important features and some examples of it. At the end, it will be much easier for you to identify this type of plant, all thanks to the information that we will provide below.
What is an evergreen plant?
Perennial species are considered to be all those plants that have the ability to survive for two years or more. This is possible thanks to the fact that during “long” periods of time, they can maintain a low activity in order to flower and “reborn” at a certain time of the year. That is to say, they are plants that have the particularity of losing all their foliage to the point of being left with only branches, but even so, they continue to live. An example of these are those trees that, during the winter, lose all their flora and once this season ends, they start their foliage process again.
Of course, this will depend on the type of biome in which the species is found, since not all trees have the same characteristics and processes. A perennial tree in cold areas will not be the same as a species located in the tropics. What is evident is that these plants have the ability to live for a long time, as long as they are harvested at the right time or time. It is for this reason that certain crops tend to be more productive and durable than othersince it is being carried out at the right time.
Regarding the meaning of the word, it refers to “through the years” and, as they are long-lasting and resistant plants, this term is attributed to it. However, it must be taken into account that there are plants that are often confused with perennials, these are called annuals or biennials, which are species that last less than a year. It should be mentioned that, to this type of plants, they are also usually called as herbaceous. This refers to the fact that their stems are not woody, as is the case with shrubs and trees such as mahogany or pine.
What are the characteristics of the perennial plant?
The main characteristic, and perhaps the most important of all, is that They have the ability to not die in harsh conditions. For example, the vast majority of species of this type usually “die” during the autumn season. However, the fact that it does not have a single leaf on its branches does not mean that the plant has died. It is still alive and it is all thanks to the fact that its roots are latent there.
It is thanks to this characteristic that every perennial plant, once spring has arrived, begins to emerge again until acquire its leaves and natural state. However, this is not the only notable feature, there are others such as the following:
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They have a high resistance to environmental conditionsfrom the coldest to the hottest.
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It is possible to plant them directly in the ground without having to go through a prior preparation process.
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There are vegetables and greens that are considered as perennial.
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They have the ability to hibernate underground, while the upper part loses all reproductive capacity.
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There are trees, shrubs, bushes, and herbs that can be perennial.
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They have one better adaptation to ground conditionsmanaging to last longer than annual herbs.
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All perennial species have the ability to find water supplies in the soil. So its roots are extensive.
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Not all perennial plants have a flower that is resistant, some last longer and others less.
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The growth of these plants are affected or influenced by weather conditions. In other words, its growth will depend on how much stress it is subjected to droughts or abundant rains.
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They have the particularity that they flower from the second season once they have been planted, although it does not always apply to all cases. The truth is, once the second season passes, flowering occurs every year of the plant’s life.
It is important to mention that there are plants that do not meet each and every one of the characteristics mentioned, but even so, they are still perennial. For this reason, those that are of the evergreen type they are considered as herbaceous also. The difference compared to everything we have seen is that they maintain the production of leaves. This means that even in winter, its functional growth cycle continues to be active.
What kind of plant is perennial?
As for the list of plants that are perennial, it is enormous, since it includes so many trees, bushes, herbs, and even flowers. All this without leaving aside that every year, there are cultivars that are dedicated to creating new species based on those that already exist. What you have to know in this regard are the following key points:
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evergreen trees. They are plant species that have a woody stem and that its height can exceed 5 meters. The trunks do not have ramifications until they reach a certain height. All trees are considered to be evergreen and many tend to lose their foliage in winter.
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evergreen shrubs. They are Species whose minimum height is 1 meter and do not exceed 5 meters. We can say that they are plants that have not been able to fully develop and remain at this height.
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Perennial bushes. Plants that have not managed to exceed a meter in height and whose leaves usually expire or are perennial.
Examples of Perennial Plants
One of the most characteristic examples that we can give you are perennial plants, such as rosemary, sage or thyme. In a way, these are plants that fall into this category that people don’t know are perennials. As for herbs, the mallow is the most classic and faithful example that adapts to this classification of perennial plants. If we go to a larger scale, we find the carob, the walnut, the chestnut, among others.
