Eudicotyl

Eudicotyl is a clade of flowering plants that is now considered the largest group within the angiosperms. This classification arose from phylogenetic studies that revealed a distinct evolutionary lineage within the monocots and dicots, the traditional broad groupings. Eudicots are characterized by several key features that distinguish them from other flowering plants.

One of the most prominent characteristics of eudicots is their pollen, which typically has three or more pores, known as tricolpate or polyporate pollen. In contrast, monocots usually have monosulcate pollen. Another significant feature is the structure of their leaves, which commonly exhibit net-like venation, meaning the veins branch out in a web-like pattern. This is in contrast to the parallel venation often seen in monocots.

Eudicots also typically have floral organs, such as petals and sepals, arranged in multiples of four or five. Their seeds usually contain two cotyledons, embryonic leaves that store food reserves, hence the historical term "dicotyledon." While the traditional distinction between monocots and dicots was based on the number of cotyledons, modern classification recognizes eudicots as a monophyletic group that encompasses most of what were previously called dicots. This group includes a vast array of familiar plants such as roses, oaks, beans, and sunflowers.