What happens to herbaceous perennials in the fall?

Herbaceous perennials are plants that complete their growing cycle within a certain period and are characterized by their ability to die back to the ground in the fall and then regrow from their root systems in the spring. As temperatures drop and daylight decreases in the fall, these plants enter a dormancy phase, causing their tops to die back. However, the root system remains alive, allowing the plant to store energy and nutrients to support new growth when conditions become favorable again in the spring.

This process distinguishes herbaceous perennials from annuals, which complete their life cycle within a single season, and from woody plants, which maintain their structure year-round. The ability to return each spring after dying back is what makes option B the correct answer, as it encapsulates the typical life cycle of herbaceous perennials.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the behavior of herbaceous perennials during the fall. These plants do not continue to grow in the fall or produce seeds at that time; instead, they focus on dying back in preparation for dormancy. While some plants may produce seeds, it is not a defining characteristic of herbaceous perennials as a group, particularly in relation to their behavior in the fall.