Characteristic features of Dicotyledons and Monocotyledons

Characteristic features of Dicotyledons and Monocotyledons

Dicotyledons Morphological features

Reticulate venation is present in the leaves.

Presence of two cotyledons in the seed.

Primary root radicle persists as Tap root.

Flowers tetramerous or pentamerous.

Tricolpate (3 furrow) pollen is present.

Anatomical features

·           Vascular bundles are arranged in the form of a ring in stem.

·           Vascular bundles are open (Cambium present).

·           Secondary growth is present.

Monocotyledons Morphological features

Parallel venation is present in the leaves.

Presence of single cotyledon in the seed.

Radicle doesn’t persist and fibrous root is present.

Flowers trimerous.

Monocolpate (1 furrow) Pollen is present.

Anatomical features

·           Vascular bundles are scattered in the stem

·           Vascular bundles are closed (Cambium absent).

·           Secondary growth is absent.

Current Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG) System of classification doesn’t recognize dicots as a monophyletic group. Plants that are traditionally classified under dicots are dispersed in several clades such as early Magnolids and Eudicots.