Glossary

dormant

Dormancy is a temporary pause in visible growth, typically triggered by seasonal changes such as cold weather, drought, or reduced daylight.

Though the plant may appear inactive above ground, it remains alive below the surface, conserving energy in roots, rhizomes, or bulbs.

In California’s Mediterranean climate, many native plants, especially bunchgrasses and wildflowers, go dormant in summer to survive dry conditions, then resume growth with the return of fall rains.

Dormancy enables native plants to survive seasonal stress and resprout when conditions improve.

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