Eudicotiledôneas

Eudicotiledôneas is a major clade of flowering plants, also known as eudicots. This group comprises the vast majority of angiosperm diversity, encompassing an estimated 70% to 80% of all flowering plant species. Eudicots are characterized by several key morphological and molecular features that distinguish them from other groups of angiosperms, such as the monocots.

One prominent characteristic of eudicots is the presence of two cotyledons, or embryonic leaves, within the seed. This is reflected in the scientific name "dicotyledon," although this term is now largely superseded by "eudicot" to differentiate them from other groups with two cotyledons. Other distinguishing features include net-like or reticulate venation in their leaves, flower parts typically arranged in multiples of four or five, and pollen grains with three or more pores. Their vascular bundles in the stem are arranged in a ring, and their root system is typically a taproot.

The eudicot clade is immensely diverse, including familiar plant groups such as roses, legumes, sunflowers, oaks, and poppies. They are found in virtually every terrestrial habitat worldwide, playing crucial roles in ecosystems as food sources, oxygen producers, and components of various habitats. Their economic importance is also vast, providing food, timber, fibers, and medicinal compounds. The classification of eudicots is based on a combination of morphological traits and detailed molecular phylogenetic analyses, which have refined our understanding of their evolutionary relationships.