Monocotylonen

Monocotylonen, or monocotyledons, are a major lineage of flowering plants (angiosperms) defined by having a single seed leaf (cotyledon). They comprise about 60,000–70,000 species across numerous families, including grasses (Poaceae), lilies (Liliaceae/Asparagaceae in modern circumscriptions), orchids (Orchidaceae), palms (Arecaceae), and many bulbous plants.

Diagnostic features: embryos with one cotyledon; leaves with parallel venation; vascular bundles scattered in the stem; a fibrous root system rather than a prominent taproot; floral organs usually in multiples of three; pollen with a single furrow or pore.

Growth and anatomy: most monocots lack true woody secondary growth because they lack a vascular cambium; consequently, most monocots are herbaceous. Some groups, such as palms, achieve substantial height and trunk-like forms through different anatomical adaptations.

Ecology and economic importance: monocots are diverse and widespread, occupying habitats from grasslands to tropical forests. They include many staple crops (rice, wheat, maize, barley, sorghum) and important horticultural plants (onions, lilies, orchids, bananas).

Phylogeny: Monocotyledonae is a clade within angiosperms; molecular data support their early divergence from other flowering plants. The group is distinguished by a combination of embryonic, leaf, stem, and floral characteristics that reflect their evolutionary history and ecological diversity.