When do winter annuals complete their maturity stage?

Winter annuals complete their maturity stage in late spring. These plants are characterized by germinating in the fall, growing slowly through the winter, and then entering rapid growth and reproductive stages as temperatures rise in the spring. By late spring, they typically reach full maturity, producing flowers and seeds before dying off with the onset of summer heat. This life cycle is crucial for their reproductive success, as it allows them to take advantage of the cooler, wetter conditions of late fall and early spring.

The other options reflect times in the progression of the plant's lifecycle but do not coincide with the maturity stage. Late fall and early spring represent the germination and growth periods, while early summer usually signifies the end of the life cycle for these plants as they die off after seeding. Understanding these timelines is essential for managing winter annuals effectively in agricultural practices.