What defines an annual plant?

An annual plant is defined by its ability to complete its entire life cycle within one year. This includes the stages of germination, growth, flowering, seed production, and ultimately death, all occurring within a single growing season. The life cycle of these plants starts when the seed germinates and finishes with the production of seeds, which can happen during the same growing season. Once their life cycle is complete, annual plants naturally die off, whereas biennial plants, for example, would require two growing seasons to complete their life cycle, and perennial plants live for multiple years. This clarity in lifecycle duration distinguishes annual plants specifically from those with longer life spans or different growth patterns.