Which characteristic is typical of woody perennials?

Woody perennials are characterized by having persistent aboveground stems that remain each season. This feature distinguishes them from herbaceous plants, which die back to the ground in winter. The persistent stems of woody perennials mean that they can grow and expand in size over the years, contributing to their overall structure and longevity. This characteristic allows them to survive through varying seasons and environmental conditions, making them an integral part of many ecosystems.

The other choices present characteristics that do not align with woody perennials. For instance, shallow and short-lived roots do not describe the deep, extensive root systems typically found in these plants, which support them through adverse conditions. Complete dieback every winter is characteristic of certain herbaceous plants, not woody perennials. Reproduction primarily through seeds may apply to many plants, but woody perennials often have complex reproductive strategies that also include vegetative propagation and other methods.