cotiledón

Cotiledón refers to the embryonic leaf in seed-bearing plants. It is the first leaf or pair of leaves to emerge from a seed when it germinates. The number of cotyledons is a key characteristic used to classify flowering plants into two major groups: monocotyledons (monocots) and dicotyledons (dicots). Monocots, such as grasses and lilies, have a single cotyledon, while dicots, like beans and roses, possess two cotyledons.

In some plants, the cotyledons are photosynthetic and function as the first leaves, providing nourishment to the seedling until true leaves develop. In other species, the cotyledons remain underground and serve primarily as a storage organ for food reserves, transferring this stored energy to the growing embryo. After germination, cotyledons are typically shed or become part of the root system. Their presence and function are crucial for the initial survival and development of a young plant.