Angiosperms

Angiosperms

The term ‘Angiosperm’ is derived from two Greek words, i.e. ‘angio’ which means box or closed and ‘sperma’ which means seed. Habit of the plants may be herb (Solanaum melongena) , shrub (Hibiscus rosasinensis) and tree (Mangifera indica - Mango). They have well developed vascular tissues called xylem and phloem. Xylem contains vessel, tracheid, xylem parenchyma and xylem fibre. Phloem contains sieve tubes, phloem parenchyma, companion cells and phloem fibres.

Classification of Angiosperms

Angiosperms are divided into two classes.

They are:

• Dicotyledons 

• Monocotyledons

Characteristic features of Dicotyledons

* Seed has two cotyledons.

* Plants have tap root system and leaves are with reticulate venation.

* Flowers are tetramerous or pentamerous. Calyx and corolla are well differentiated.

* Pollination occurs mostly by insects.

* Examples are: Bean, Mango, Neem

Characteristic features of Monocotyledons

* Seed has only one cotyledon.

* Plants have fibrous root system, and leaves are with parallel venation.

* Flowers are trimerous and not differentiated into calyx and corolla.

* Pollination occurs mostly by wind.

* Examples are: Grass, Paddy, Banana.

Activity 3

Collect some flowering plants from your surrounding and classify them as monocot or dicot based on their root system and venation.