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    Dormancy

    /DOR-mun-see/
    🦋 Ecology Basic

    Also known as: winter dormancy

    A state of minimal metabolic activity and suspended growth that allows plants to survive unfavorable conditions such as winter cold or summer drought. Dormancy may affect the whole plant or just specific organs like seeds and buds.

    Etymology

    From Latin dormire, meaning "to sleep."

    Example

    Many perennials enter dormancy in winter, dying back to their roots until spring.