Question

Distinguish between monocarpic and polycarpic plants.

Answer 1

Hint: Different plants can be differentiated based on different characters. One such distinguishing feature which can be used to classify plants is the pattern of flowering and life cycle. Let us know more about it to find the correct answer.

Complete answer:

Monocarpic plants	Polycarpic plants
They are the plants which can produce flowers or seeds only once in their lifetime.	They can produce flowers and fruits many times or every year.
Mostly annual or biennial. Very few are perennial.	Perennial.
They die after the flowering and fruiting occurs on plants.	They are sexually active throughout their life.
Short-lived plants.	Long-lived plants.
They can live for many years before the occurrence of flowering.	They have the capacity to flower multiple times due to the presence of meristem.
Monocarpic plants can often be induced to be alive if the flowers are removed as soon as the blooming is done, before the commencement of seed germination. They can also be kept alive if flower buds are removed before blooming has begun.	They can be alive for longer periods in different ways. During pressurised conditions, they seem to focus more on reproduction and this helps them against competition.

 By the etymology, monocarpic plants are the plants which can flower or fruit only once in their lifetime whereas, polycarpic plants are the plants which can flower every year. Some examples of monocarpic plants are Carrot, wheat, rice, etc. Some examples of polycarpic plants are Apple, mango, grapes, etc.

Note:
> Alphonse de Candolle first used the term ‘monocarpic’.
> Monocarpic plants are also known by the names hepaxanth or semelparous plants.
> Polycarpic plants are iteroparous by nature.