To Understand Plants and their Growth it is necessary to understand their structure and function as it relates to plant growth. Plants are either cone bearing of flower producing. They are further catagorized by the length of their life cycle.
Many plants germinate from seed, mature, produce flower or fruit, reproduce, and die in one season.
These are called annuals. Other plants complete this cycle in two years, named biennials. Perennial plants typically produce flowers or fruits year after year. Perennials are further subdivided into those that die to ground level each winter and those that have a woody top that persists above ground in the winter. The Links in the frame will tell you more about the plant's structure and life.