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Glite Dictionary
to perennate

to perennate

9.9
To survive from one growing season to the next using underground parts like roots or bulbs
  • verb
  • /pəˈrɛnˌeɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : perennar
  • After a harsh winter, only the bulbs that perennated successfully will produce new shoots.

Examples

  • Certain cacti can perennate during drought by storing water in their tissues.

  • The tulips perennate through the winter.

  • Some herbaceous plants perennate by means of underground rhizomes.

  • Many plants perennate by storing energy in their roots.

  • To ensure that the flowers will perennate each year, it's important to plant them in a well-drained area.

  • Many farmers prefer to cultivate crops that perennate, as they require less maintenance over time.

  • In colder climates, certain vegetables can perennate if protected by mulch during the winter.

How Long-Lived

to perennate
  • Specialized
9.9
to overwinter
  • UK
3 6.6
to persist
61 3.5

Surface Forms

perennate infinitive
perennated past
perennated past participle
perennating present participle
perennates third person singular

Morphology

perennate = perennial (transparent) = perennial + ate

Formed by adding the productive verbalizing suffix '-ate' to 'perennial', so the sense 'to be or make perennial' follows directly from the adjective's meaning though it is a specialized botanical term.

Etymology

The word perennate comes from the Latin perennis, made of per- 'through' and annus 'year', and is the same root as perennial. So to perennate is for a plant to 'last through the year' and survive from one growing season to the next.