Which type of plant is classified as woody or herbaceous?

The classification of plants into woody or herbaceous types is strongly associated with their growth forms and tissue structures. In this context, dicots are known for their ability to develop into both woody and herbaceous varieties.

Dicots, or dicotyledons, typically have a complex vascular structure that allows for secondary growth, which leads to the development of woody tissue in many species, such as trees and shrubs. However, they can also manifest as herbaceous plants, which do not have significant woody growth and die back at the end of the growing season. This dual capability is a defining feature of dicots and is particularly relevant when discussing plant classifications relevant to environments such as rights-of-way, where both types of growth can be observed.

In contrast, the other types listed do not encompass both growth forms in the same way. Monocots, for instance, generally do not produce woody plants, as they typically consist of grasses and other plants with simpler vascular structures. Annuals are defined by their life cycle, growing and dying within one season, and thus do not fit neatly into the woody vs. herbaceous classification. Algae do not fall under this classification as they are non-vascular and do not exhibit the characteristics of either woody or herbaceous