Plants are all common among them because they need sun, water and nutrients to develop. However, there are different life cycles. Some can repeat the cycle every two years, others every year, or some that can be kept alive for much more than two years. If you have a garden or want to start in home orchards, it is appropriate for you to know the life cycles of the plants to be able to plan your spaces well, take advantage of each plant, know when to plant what, and above all do not take unexpected surprises. On this occasion we will take care of knowing the annual plants, those that live only for one year. We invite you to read this ecology article where you will learn more about What are annual plants, their characteristics and examples.
What are annual plants and their characteristics
Annual plants are those that They complete their life cycle in a yearand They die at the end of producing the seeds. Another way of saying this is that the life cycle happens in a single growth station.
This categorization is observed in active growth, in the latency and, finally, in the death of the plant. The Stages of development Those who pass are the following:
- Seed
- Vegetative phase
- Reproductive phase
- Fertilization
- New seeds formation
At the end of these development phases they will die All vegetative organs, that is, leaves, roots, seeds and stems. The only link between descendant generations is the seeds. These plants are easy to reproduce from seeds instead of cuttings or a mother plant. Do not produce deep rootsso they can be taken in pots.
Now, within the annual plants two different types can be distinguished, depending on the season in which they grow:
- Annual summer plants: They grow, produce leaves, flowers and seeds during the warmer months of the year. It is important not to get seedlings outside until frosts have passed.
- Annual winter plants: They develop their basic functions during the coldest months of the year.
Here are some examples of annual plants.
Caupí (Vigna Unguiculata)
Many foods are annual crops. The knowledge of their life cycles helped the establishment in a place of the first humans and the development of agriculture. In particular, this vegetable is also known as the alubia eye of partridge, veneer, mask Jew, pea of black mouthpiece, face bean, patience beans, frejol Castilla, chicharillo, wild pea, chicherer, chíchare, chinese beans, black head bean, beef pore, thug or xpelon. Has Great nutritional value Useful for human consumption and fodder. It’s a annual summer cultureso it does not have good tolerance to cold and, on the other hand, it supports the droughts very well. It must be sown after frost and has very good ease of establishment. You do not need very special soils.
Cempasúchil (erect tagetes)
The cempasúchil is the call TAGETE OR FLOWER DAY OF THE DEAD used in Mexico, because its Annual flowering It coincides with that day and since pre -Hispanic times it has been exploited for these parties. Produces tonalities flowers yellow to orangesproducing a sweet aroma. It begins to sow at the beginning of the summer so that the flowers are ready for the month of November. At the beginning of October the plants begin to dry to end the seed, which marks the end of its season. This plant can be taken both in a pot and sown directly on the ground, but always outside and under the sun.
DAMASQUINO (AGERATUM)
Among the Flower annual plants We have this genre Ageratum, widely used in gardening to integrate the blue color into different spaces. Produces compact flowers, with varieties that range from Intense blue lavender color. The seeds They are sown at the end of spring and grows between 15 to 60 centimeters high. If used to decorate, you have to pay special attention to remove them when they begin to die because dry flowers are not very aesthetic.
Annual Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum Coronarium)
Some species of chrysanthemum are perennial, but Chrysanthemum coronarium It is annual. It is also known as oxen or dead flower And there are many varieties with yellow tones. It is native to the Mediterranean. It can be cultivated abroad as in interior, always trying to provide filtered light to avoid burning it. It is typical of temperate climates and in addition to being used in gardening is a edible flower Very used in Asian cuisine. The flavor is similar to watercress and gives salads a cheerful touch, although it can also be incorporated into soups or teas for having high iron and folic acid content.
Col (Brassica Oleracea)
Although the cabbage is a plant known as vegetable for consumptionthere are many gardens that incorporate it as Ornamental plant for the striking colors of its leaves that display tones of the emerald green to lilac. While it is a biannual plant, it has been cultivated as Annual winter Since during winter it is when its colors are more colorful. It is even one of the plants that most support cold and frost. It is a plant that must be abroad to receive direct light during the winter. You need intense irrigation.
In this other post you can learn more about the different types of col.
Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus)
This plant is famous for Follow the sunwhich tells us that it is a exterior plant that needs direct light To grow. On the other hand, seeing its scientific name we can see that the species uses the specific epithet Annuuswhich refers to the plant annuity. Its development occurs during the summer and supports better droughts than excess irrigation. This addition to the garden will be ornamental and when you finish your cycle you can enjoy your seeds as food.
Here we show you different types of sunflowers.
Other annual plants
Finally, we indicate more examples of annual cycle plants:
- Linanthus Dianthiflorus
- Basil (OCIMUM BASILICUM)
- Savory (Satureja Montana)
- Darling
- Soy (Glycine Max)
- Wheat (Triticum spp.)
- Oatmeal (AVENA SATIVA)
- Corn (Zea mays)
- Rice (ORYZA SATIVA)
- Zinnia spp.
If you want to read more articles similar to Annual plants: what are and exampleswe recommend that you enter our biology category.
- Curtis, H., Schneck, A., & Flores, G. (2006). Invitation to biology. Montevideo: Pan -American Medical Editorial.
- BUCZACKI, S. (1999) Plants in containers. Madrid: Akal Editions