Difference Between Monocotyledons and Dicotyledons

The difference between monocotyledons and dicotyledons differ in their roots, stem, leaves, flowers, and seeds. The main difference between monocotyledons and dicotyledons is that monocot contains a single cotyledon in its embryo whereas dicot contains two cotyledons in its embryo. Let us now understand more about the difference between monocotyledons and dicotyledons by studying its basics.

What is Monocotyledons?

Monocotyledon is commonly referred to as monocots. They are grass and grass-like flowering plants (angiosperms), the seeds of which typically contain only one embryonic leaf or cotyledon. The monocotyledons include about 60,000 species. Palm trees, grasses, bananas, and orchids are some of the examples.

What is Dicotyledons?

Dicotyledons, also known as dicots. The name denotes a typical characteristic of the group, namely that the seed has two embryonic leaves or cotyledons. There are around 200,000 species within this group.  Beans, buttercups, oaks, sunflowers, etc are some of the examples.

Difference between Monocotyledons and Dicotyledons

The important difference between monocotyledons and dicotyledons

Parameter	Monocotyledon	Dicotyledon
Meaning	Plants with the seed having only one cotyledon are called as monocotyledons.	Plants with the seed having two cotyledons are called as dicotyledons.
Flower parts	Flower parts are present in multiples of three.	The flower parts are present in multiples of four or five.
Leaves	The leaves are isobilateral.	The leaves are dorsiventral.
Woody/Herbaceous	Monocots are herbaceous.	Dicots are both woody as well as herbaceous.
Pollen	Pollen tubes contain a single pore or furrow (monocolpate).	It has three or more pore or furrow in the pollen tube (tricolpate).

We must learn in detail to find out more differences between monocotyledons and dicotyledons.

Monocotyledons

Monocotyledon is a type of flowering plant, whose embryo (seed) stores only one cotyledon. Monocots form a monophyletic group, meaning that they share a common evolutionary history. Monocot plants contain seeds with a single cotyledon, parallel-veined leaves, scattered vascular bundles in the stem, the absence of a typical cambium, and an adventitious root system. Monocotyledons account for most of the staple foods of the world, such as cereal grains and starchy root crops, and palms, orchids and lilies, building materials, and many medicines.

Dicotyledons

Dicotyledons belong to the group of flowering plants which typically have two cotyledons, or embryonic leaves, in their seeds. Their flowers generally have parts in fours or fives or multiples thereof. Examples of dicotyledons are oaks, elms, maples, most showy flowers, most garden plants, most vegetables.

FAQs about Monocotyledons And Dicotyledons

Q.1. How many petals does a Monocot have?

Ans- Monocots typically possess three sepals and three petals. In some cases, the sepals resemble the shape and color of petals

Q.2. What are the Characteristics of Dicotyledons?

Ans- Dicot plants are characterized by double-cotyledon seeds, net or reticulate venation, vascular bundles in the rings, typical cambium is present, and a tap root system.