cotyledonok

Cotyledons, often referred to as seed leaves, are embryonic leaves in seeds. They are the first leaves to emerge from a germinating seed. The number of cotyledons is a defining characteristic used to classify flowering plants into two major groups: monocotyledons (monocots) and dicotyledons (dicots). Monocots have a single cotyledon, while dicots have two cotyledons.

The primary function of cotyledons varies depending on the plant species. In some plants, such as beans, cotyledons are epigeal, meaning they emerge above ground during germination and often turn green, performing photosynthesis for a short period. In other plants, like peas, cotyledons are hypogeal, remaining underground and serving primarily as a food reserve for the developing seedling, absorbing nutrients from the stored food within the seed. The stored food can be in the endosperm or within the cotyledons themselves.

After germination and the emergence of true leaves, the cotyledons typically wither and fall off, as they are temporary structures. Their presence and behavior are crucial indicators of a plant's classification and its early developmental strategy. The term "cotyledonok" itself is not a standard botanical term; it appears to be a misspelling or variation of "cotyledon."