Definition

1. Noun:
   • A plant that sheds its leaves annually: A "deciduous plant" is a plant that loses all of its leaves for part of the year, typically at the end of the growing season, such as in autumn or during a dry season.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The oak tree is a common deciduous plant in temperate forests.
  • In autumn, the beautiful colors of deciduous plants attract many tourists.
  • Gardeners must rake the fallen leaves from deciduous plants each year.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical classification: The term is used to categorize plants in contrast to "evergreen plants." A forest composed primarily of deciduous plants is called a deciduous forest.
  • The biome is characterized by its broadleaf deciduous plants.

Variants and Related Words

• Deciduous (adj): Describing the characteristic of shedding leaves annually.
  • Deciduous trees like maples and birches are common here.
• Deciduousness (n): The quality or state of being deciduous.

Synonyms

• Broadleaf plant (in many, but not all, contexts, as most broadleaf trees in temperate zones are deciduous).
• Leaf-shedding plant.

Antonyms

• Evergreen plant: A plant that retains green leaves throughout the year.

Related Phrases

• Deciduous habit: The growth pattern of a plant that involves seasonal leaf loss.
  • The plant's deciduous habit is an adaptation to cold winters.

Noun

1. a plant having foliage that is shed annually at the end of the growing season