ANGIOSPERMS:
Monocot versus Dicots
Biology 112
Monocots & Dicots
• Botanists are able to divide the 235,000
species of angiosperms into two large
groups based on the structure of their
seeds
• Inside the seeds of angiosperms are
tiny embryonic leaves called
cotyledons. The seeds of one group of
angiosperms have one cotyledon, called
monocotyledons or monocots.
• Other angiosperms have two
cotyledons. These are called
dicotyledons or dicots
Cotyledon (seed leaf)
Monocots versus Dicots
One cotyledon
(seed leaf)
Two cotyledons
(seed leaves)
The veins of
monocot leaves
are parallel to
each other
The leaves of
dicots usually
have netlike
veins
Leaves
Monocot versus Dicots
Base of a Monocot Leaf: Note
the Sheath which connects the
Blade to the Stem
Typical Dicot Leaf with
Reticulate (Net) Venation
Monocot Examples
• Tulips, daffodils, irises, lilies,
palm trees
• Do you see
veins that are
parallel?
Dicot Examples
• Buttercups, peas, roses,
sunflowers, maple trees, and
dandelions
• Do you see the
netlike veins?
Which is which?
A is _____________
B is __________
Stems
Monocot versus Dicot
Cross Section of
Corn which is a
typical Monocot
Cross Section of a
typical Dicot Stem
Root System
Dicot versus Monocots
Dicot
Monocot
Floral Parts
Monocots
Monocots versus Dicots
Dicots