Herbaceous stems are non-woody, typically green, and often die back to the ground at the end of the growing season. Here's a breakdown of their characteristics:

* Non-woody: They lack the tough, rigid tissues that make up woody stems like those found in trees and shrubs.

* Green: They are often green due to the presence of chlorophyll, allowing them to photosynthesize.

* Die back: At the end of the growing season, herbaceous stems usually wither and die back to the ground. They may regrow from underground structures like bulbs, rhizomes, or tubers the following year.

Here are some examples of plants with herbaceous stems:

* Grasses: Wheat, corn, rice, and bamboo

* Flowers: Petunias, marigolds, sunflowers, and lilies

* Vegetables: Spinach, lettuce, broccoli, and tomatoes

In contrast, woody stems are characterized by the presence of bark and wood, allowing them to grow tall and survive for many years.