monocotten

Monocots, short for monocotyledons, are a major lineage of flowering plants (angiosperms) defined by having a single embryonic leaf, or cotyledon, in the seed. They form one of the two largest groups of angiosperms, alongside the eudicots, and include a wide range of familiar plants.

Key features commonly used to recognize monocots include leaves with parallel venation, stems with scattered vascular bundles, and a predominantly fibrous root system. Most monocots lack true secondary growth produced by a vascular cambium, which is why many have herbaceous stems, though there are exceptions. Floral parts are typically in multiples of three, and pollen grains usually have a single aperture, or monosulcate. Embryos develop with structures such as a coleoptile and coleorhiza in many grasses.

Seed structure in monocots often features endosperm as a nutritive tissue, though some seeds may have little or no endosperm at maturity as the embryo consumes it during germination. The lifecycle and development of monocots support a wide range of growth forms, from creeping herbs to towering palms.

Diversity and distribution: monocots comprise about 60,000 species across numerous families, including Poaceae (grasses), Orchidaceae (orchids), Arecaceae (palms), Liliaceae and related groups (lilies and relatives), and Asparagales (which include many ornamentals and crops). They are found in nearly every habitat, with particular abundance in grasslands, tropical forests, and agricultural systems.

Evolution and classification: monocots are an early-diverging lineage within angiosperms and form a monophyletic group. They are studied for their distinctive morphology, reproductive biology, and substantial economic value as crops, ornamentals, and fibers.