dicotyledoneae

Dicotyledoneae, commonly known as dicots, represent a large and diverse group of flowering plants. Historically considered a distinct class within the plant kingdom, current botanical classification places them within the broader group of angiosperms. The most defining characteristic of dicots is the presence of two embryonic leaves, or cotyledons, within the seed. These cotyledons often provide nourishment to the developing seedling.

Other typical features of dicotyledoneae include leaves with a net-like or reticulate venation pattern, where the veins branch out in a complex network. Their flower parts, such as petals, sepals, and stamens, are usually found in multiples of four or five. The vascular bundles in the stem are arranged in a ring, and the root system typically consists of a taproot with smaller lateral branches. This contrasts with monocotyledons, which have a single cotyledon, parallel leaf venation, flower parts in threes, and scattered vascular bundles in the stem.

Examples of common dicot plants are abundant and include many familiar species such as roses, sunflowers, oak trees, beans, and tomatoes. The vast majority of cultivated crops and ornamental plants belong to the dicot group, making them economically and ecologically significant. While the term "dicot" is still widely used and understood in botany and horticulture, the precise taxonomic boundaries have evolved with molecular phylogenetic studies.