Contrasting Life History Traits In Monocarpic Versus Polycarpic Plants From A Molecular-Evolutionary Point Of View

Seed plants can be broadly divided into two groups according to their life history. Annual plants complete their life cycle including germination, vegetative growth, and finally reproduction within one year. Usually, annual plants flower once in their lifetime and are, therefore, referred to as monocarpic. Perennial plants alternate between vegetative and reproductive phases over several consecutive years and usually have the ability to flower multiple times throughout their lifetime and are, therefore, referred to as polycarpic. Shifts between these two life histories have occurred multiple times independently in higher plants. Each life history comes with its own set of typicalmorphological characters and differential expression of key genes involved in the regulation of juvenile phase, flowering, branching, or senescence shape molecular pathways into fitting with the respective life history.