Woody perennial plant (5) Crossword Clue
Answer: SHRUB (5 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Woody perennial plant" with 5 letters is "SHRUB". A woody perennial plant, known as a shrub, is a plant that has a hard, woody stem and persists for several years. Shrubs typically grow to a smaller size compared to trees, often with multiple stems arising from the base. They provide structure to gardens and landscapes, offering both aesthetic value and ecological benefits.
Why “Shrub” Fits
The clue asks for a 5-letter word for a “woody perennial plant.” The answer, SHRUB, fits perfectly:
- Woody perennial: A shrub is a plant with a persistent woody stem above ground that lives for more than two years.
- Plant type: Shrubs are smaller than trees, typically having multiple stems rather than a single trunk, and are commonly found in gardens and natural landscapes.
This direct definition makes “shrub” a precise and elegant answer.
The term “shrub” covers a wide range of garden and wild plants:
- Characteristics: Shrubs are perennial plants, meaning they persist year after year, and their woody structure allows them to survive dormancy periods, whether from cold or dry seasons.
- Examples: Common garden shrubs include boxwood, holly, rose, and lavender.
- Comparison: Unlike herbaceous perennials, which die back to the ground and regrow each year, woody perennials like shrubs keep their stems above ground all year.
- Ecological role: Shrubs provide food and shelter for wildlife, often forming the “backbone” of a garden.
“Shrub” perfectly bridges the clue’s requirements for being both woody (having hard stems and branches) and perennial (living more than two years).
In quick crosswords, clues like “woody perennial plant”:
- Usually refer to the main plant categories “tree,” “shrub,” or “vine.”
- Five letters fits “shrub,” which is more specific than “tree” for this clue (and fits the grid perfectly).
- When a clue wants a general plant type rather than a specific species, think of broad terms like “shrub” for medium-sized, multi-stemmed woody perennials.
Spotting the overlap between perennial longevity and woody structure helps guide you easily to “shrub.”
