Difference Between Monocotyledon and Dicotyledon, Structure and Features
Difference between monocotyledon and dicotyledon is that monocots have one leaf, parallel veins, scattered stem bundles, and fibrous roots and dicots have two leaves, branched veins, circular stem bundles, and taproots.
Krati Saraswat23 May, 2025
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Difference between Monocotyledon and Dicotyledon: Plants are divided into two categories, flowering and non-flowering plants.. Angiosperms are divided into monocotyledons and dicotyledons based on the existence of an embryo in the seed. Monocotyledons are a flowering plant class of approximately 75,000 species. They are predominantly herbaceous. Monocotyledons have a single cotyledon with a terminal location.
Dicotyledons are a flowering plant family with about 1,75,000 species, ranging from annuals to trees. The dicotyledons are distinguished by their two lateral cotyledons in each seed. Read the complete article for the complete difference between monocotyledon and Dicotyledon.| NEET Biology Syllabus | NEET Biology Diagrams |
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Difference Between Monocotyledon and Dicotyledon Overview
Monocotyledons are often known as monocots. They are grass and grass-like flowering plants (angiosperms) with seeds containing just one embryonic leaf, or cotyledon. The monocotyledons have over 60,000 species. Examples include grasses, palm trees, bananas, and orchids. Dicotyledons are also called dicots. The name refers to a common feature of the group, especially the seed's two embryonic leaves, or cotyledons. There are approximately 200,000 species in this category. Examples include beans, buttercups, oaks, and sunflowers.Difference Between Monocotyledon and Dicotyledon
Dicotyledons and monocotyledons differ in roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds. The main difference between monocotyledon and dicotyledon is that monocotyledons have a single cotyledon in their embryo, whereas dicotyledons have two. The complete difference between monocotyledon and dicotyledon is given below in the table.| Difference Between Monocotyledon and Dicotyledon | ||
|---|---|---|
| Basis | Monocotyledons | Dicotyledons |
| Number of Cotyledons | One cotyledon is present. It is the first leaf to emerge during germination. It provides nutrients to the developing seedling. | Two cotyledons are present. They are the first leaves to emerge during germination, essential in absorbing and storing nutrients for the young plant. |
| Leaf Vein Arrangement | Veins in the leaves run parallel, forming a characteristic parallel pattern. | Veins in the leaves typically exhibit a reticulate or branching pattern, forming a network across the leaf surface. |
| Vascular Bundles in Stem | Vascular bundles are scattered throughout the stem, lacking a specific arrangement. | Vascular bundles are often arranged in a circular pattern, providing structural support to the plant. |
| Root Development | Monocots develop a fibrous root system where the primary root is short-lived, and the central root mass comes from adventitious roots. | Dicots commonly have a taproot system, where the primary root persists and gives rise to lateral roots, providing stability and nutrient absorption. |
| Floral Parts (Multiples) | Floral parts (petals, sepals) are usually in multiples of three. | Floral parts are often in multiples of four or five, contributing to the characteristic symmetry of dicot flowers. |
| Pollen Grain Structure | Pollen grains typically have a single furrow, or pore. | Pollen grains usually have three furrows, or pores, forming a tripartite structure that aids in dicot plant identification. |
Monocotyledon
Monocotyledons are flowering plants with just one cotyledon, or embryonic leaf, in their seeds. They are one of two primary categories of angiosperms. Monocots differ from dicots in various ways, including leaves with parallel veins, distributed vascular bundles in the stem, flower parts in multiples of three, and a fibrous root structure. Monocot plants include lilies, grasses, orchids, palm palms, and bamboo. Monocots are essential food crops, including rice, wheat, maize, and sugarcane. Monocots are highly prized for their decorative and medicinal benefits and serve critical roles in the ecosystems in which they grow. The characteristics of monocotyledons are as follows:- Monocots frequently feature unique floral structures tailored to specific pollinators. For example, orchids have highly specialized blooms that certain insects pollinate.
- Monocots lack secondary growth. As a result, monocots have restricted height and width.
- Dicot leaves have net-like venation, but monocot leaves have parallel veins. This characteristic is assumed to represent an adaptation for more effective water absorption.
- Monocots have fibrous root systems, which comprise numerous thin, branching roots extending from the plant's base. This sort of root system is well-suited to anchoring the plant and taking nutrients from the earth.
Dicotyledon
Dicotyledons are also called dicots. They are flowering plants whose seeds include two embryonic leaves or cotyledons. This plant group is part of the wider angiosperm group, which includes plants that grow flowers and develop fruit seeds. Dicots often have two seed leaves, net-like veins on their leaves, flower parts in groups of four or five, and a taproot system. Dicots are distinguished by their ability to generate secondary growth, which allows them to increase in diameter over time. This is accomplished by lateral meristem activity, which produces new cells in the cambium layer. The characteristics of dicotyledons are as follows.- Dicotyledons, or dicots for short, are flowering plants with two embryonic leaves, or cotyledons, in their seeds.
- They are one of two primary categories of angiosperms, alongside monocotyledons.
- Dicotyledons have leaves and net-like vein patterns, stems with vascular bundles organized in a ring, flowers with four or five parts, a taproot system with a large central root, and the capacity to produce secondary growth due to vascular cambium activity.
- Dicots are also economically significant since many of them, such as soybeans, beans, peas, and lentils, are major food crops. In contrast, others have decorative and cultural value, such as roses, sunflowers, and oak trees.
- These unique qualities and adaptations make dicots a significant and varied group of flowering plants.
Difference Between Monocotyledon and Dicotyledon FAQs
Is a monocotyledon a type of seed?
Yes, a monocotyledonous seed is produced by plants in the botanical group Monocotyledons, such as lilies and lychee trees.
Is an apple a monocotyledon?
No, apple trees are dicots, not monocots. All angiosperm trees and shrubs, including apples, are dicots, typically woody plants.
Is a watermelon a monocotyledon?
No, a watermelon seed is classified as a dicotyledon seed. It contains three primary components: a seed coat, an embryo, and an endosperm.
Is mango a dicot plant?
Yes, mango is a dicot plant. Each fruit has a single seed with two fleshy cotyledons that store food for the developing plant.
Is a coconut a dicot?
No, coconut trees are monocots, not dicots. They have only one embryonic leaf called a cotyledon, distinguishing them from dicots with two embryonic leaves.
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