Polüaegne

Polüaegne is an Estonian term that translates to "perennial" in English. It describes plants that live for more than two years. This is in contrast to annual plants, which complete their life cycle in one year, and biennial plants, which live for two years. Perennial plants have the ability to survive through dormancy periods, such as winter or dry seasons, and then resume growth.

The life cycle of a perennial plant involves vegetative growth, flowering, and seed production, often over multiple years. Many perennial plants develop specialized structures for storing nutrients, such as roots, rhizomes, bulbs, or tubers, which enable them to survive unfavorable conditions and regrow from the same root system. This storage allows them to allocate resources towards reproduction in subsequent seasons.

Examples of perennial plants are widespread across various plant families and include many common garden flowers like peonies and hostas, as well as many trees and shrubs. Their ability to survive for multiple years makes them a significant component of many ecosystems, contributing to long-term stability and biodiversity. The term "polüaegne" is therefore a fundamental descriptor in botanical classification and ecological studies within Estonia and other regions using similar terminology.