Deciduous

Deciduous is a word used to describe plants, especially trees and shrubs, that lose their leaves during part of the year. The most common time for leaves to fall is autumn, also called fall. After losing their leaves, deciduous plants remain bare for a period of time. New leaves usually grow again in spring. This pattern repeats every year.

The word deciduous comes from a Latin word meaning "to fall off." It is used mainly in biology to describe a seasonal change in plants. Many well-known trees are deciduous. Examples include oak, maple, birch, and apple trees. These trees are common in areas with clear seasons, such as spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

Deciduous plants lose their leaves because of changes in the environment. Shorter daylight hours and lower temperatures signal the plant to stop making food in its leaves. Chlorophyll, the green substance in leaves, breaks down. This causes leaves to change color before falling. By dropping leaves, the plant reduces water loss and avoids damage from cold or dry conditions.

There are large regions of the world called deciduous forests. These forests are made up mostly of deciduous trees. They are common in parts of North America, Europe, and East Asia. Deciduous forests have rich soil because fallen leaves break down and return nutrients to the ground. Many animals live in these forests and adjust their behavior to seasonal changes.

Not all plants are deciduous. Some plants are evergreen, which means they keep their leaves all year. Pine and fir trees are evergreen. Deciduous and evergreen plants often grow in the same regions, but they respond differently to seasonal changes. The difference between them helps scientists describe and classify plant types.

The word deciduous is also used outside of plants. In biology, some animals have deciduous teeth, which are teeth that fall out and are replaced. Human baby teeth are an example. In all uses, the word deciduous describes something that is temporary and replaced later, following a regular pattern.