Dikotyledonit

Dikotyledonit, or dicotyledons, are flowering plants whose seeds typically contain two embryonic seed leaves, known as cotyledons. Historically they formed one of the two major lineages of flowering plants, the other being monocotyledons (monokotüyledonid). In traditional morphology, dicotyledons were identified by two cotyledons, net-like leaf venation, flower parts in multiples of four or five, and vascular bundles arranged in a ring in the stem. They also commonly have a taproot system and pollen with three openings.

In modern systematics, the group formerly called dicotyledons is not treated as a single clade. The large majority of dicot-like forms belong to the clade of eudicots, a monophyletic group that includes most species once classified as dicotyledons. Basal angiosperms and magnoliids are other lineages outside the eudicots. Consequently, the term “dicot” is now considered less precise for taxonomy and is mainly used in historical or morphological contexts rather than formal classifications.

Dikotyledonit include a wide range of plants with substantial ecological and economic importance, such as beans, sunflowers, oaks, roses, and peas. They exhibit great diversity in habit, from herbs to large trees, and in reproductive strategies and habitats. Despite taxonomic revisions, the dichotomy between dicot-like and monocot-like features remains a useful shorthand in describing broad plant characteristics and evolution.

Overall, contemporary references prefer distinguishing monocots from eudicots rather than using dicots as a single taxonomic unit, reflecting advances in phylogenetic analysis based on genetic data.