Monocot vs Dicot

The classification of flowering plants for a long time, has been made on the basis of number of cotyledons they possess i.e., in the form monocot vs dicot system of categorization. The categorization or classification of plants on this basis doesn't have fundamental concepts for support. Instead, morphology of seed types is the only criterion being used in this kind of grouping. Therefore, problems in process of classifying plants arise regularly. Occurrence of dissimilar characteristics among plants that are placed under the same group (monocot or dicot) takes place in many instances. The classification system based on cotyledons is however, still in use. Let us understand more about these plants by means of the dicotyledon vs monocotyledon differences presented below.

Difference Between Monocot and Dicot System

The basic difference between monocots and dicots, as their names suggests, is the presence of single and double cotyledons respectively. To put it simply, monocots have a single embryonic leaf, while the dicots have two of these; the embryonic leaf is also referred to as seed leaf. There are many more distinguishing characteristics which separate the monocots from dicots. Let us have a look at these differentiating characteristics.

• Monocots: The monocotyledonous plants bear flowers that are trimerous. Those flowers which are divided in 3 parts/components are known as trimerous.
  Dicots: Flowers of dicotyledonous plants produce tetramerous or pentamerous flowers.
• Monocots: The arrangement of vascular bundles in monocots is of a 'scattered' type.
  Dicots: In dicotyledons, vascular bundles are arranged in concentric circles.
• Monocots: The roots of monocotyledonous plants are adventitious.
  Dicots: Development of root system in dicotyledonous plants, unlike the monocots takes place from radicles.
• Monocots: The difference between monocots and dicots can also be marked on the basis of number of pores/furrows present in a single pollen. Monocots are those plants which possess a single pore in every pollen grain.
  Dicots: In dicotyledonous plants, there are 3 pores present in a single pollen grain.
• Monocots: The arrangement of major veins in monocots is parallel in form.
  Dicots: The dicot plants have reticulate major veins.
• Monocots: The monocot seed pods are divided in three parts. Seeds present in pods of monocots are fleshy and large in size.
  Dicots: The dicotyledons have seed pods that vary in shape and size. The number of parts/chambers containing seeds also vary in number.

The above mentioned points help us understand various aspects of monocot and dicot seeds and also the different features of these plants. The monocot vs dicot leaves difference can also be understood with the help of the explanation provided above. The information about arrangement of veins in leaves can help understand the dicotyledon vs monocotyledon classification regarding leaves in a proper manner.

Useful Monocot and Dicot Facts for Kids

Plant species included in the monocot category are mostly grasses and other plants similar to grasses. The irises, lilies and amaryllises are plants commonly found in this category. Dicotyledonous plants are of the following groups: bushes, trees, vegetable garden plants, etc. One fact that has to be considered while studying monocots and dicots is that, not all dicots or monocots have characteristics which clearly separate them from each other. Children should be encouraged to conduct experiments which help understand the different monocots and dicots. In this manner, the anatomy, functions and growth of different types of monocots and dicots is understood in a better way.

The information helps us understand various aspects of flowering plants on the basis of dicotyledon vs monocotyledon classification.