Frøbladets

Frøbladets is a Danish word that translates to "cotyledon" in English. A cotyledon is a significant part of the embryo within a seed of a plant. It is essentially the embryonic leaf, and in many plants, it stores food reserves for the germinating seedling. The number of cotyledons present in a seedling is a key characteristic used in plant classification. Plants with one cotyledon are known as monocotyledons, or monocots, and include grasses, lilies, and orchids. Plants with two cotyledons are called dicotyledons, or dicots, and encompass a vast range of common plants such as beans, sunflowers, and oak trees. In some species, the cotyledons emerge above ground during germination and turn green, performing photosynthesis for a short period before the true leaves develop. In others, they remain below ground, simply supplying nutrients to the growing sprout. The appearance and function of cotyledons can vary widely, but their role in supporting the initial growth of a plant from a seed is fundamental to plant reproduction and survival.