What term is used for plants that germinate in the fall and complete their life cycle within one year?

The term that describes plants which germinate in the fall and complete their life cycle within one year is "winter annual." These plants typically sprout in the fall, grow during the cooler months, and then flower and produce seeds in the spring or early summer before dying off.

This lifecycle is adapted to take advantage of the fall rains and milder temperatures, allowing them to establish their root systems before the harsher conditions of winter. This distinguishes them from other plant types. For example, biennials require two growing seasons to complete their life cycle, having a period of vegetative growth in the first year and flowering in the second. Perennials live for multiple years and can have various growth habits, but they do not conform to the specific lifecycle of winter annuals. Annuals complete their lifecycle in one year, but they typically germinate in the spring and die before the fall, making them distinct from winter annuals.