Difference between Monocotyledons (Monocots) and Dicotyledons (Dicots)
Differences between monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous species are given below.
| Criteria | Monocots | Dicots |
|---|---|---|
| Seed structure | Basic terms related to seed structure are as follows:
Monocots and dicots differ for some of these. |
|
| Have one cotyledon i.e. only one embryonic first leaf. This one cotyledon is thin, as endosperm to feed the germinating plant is not stored inside this cotyledon. | Have two cotyledons i.e. two leaves inside seed coat of a germinating seed. These two cotyledons are fat, as they serve as store house for the endosperm, to feed the germinating seed. | |
| Leaves | Monocots have leaves with parallel primary veins (parallel vein network). Most of the times they have long and narrow leaves. | Dicots have leaves with distinct / branched vein network. Dicots posses’ variety when it comes to shape and size of leaves. |
| Stem and Vascular system | In monocots, vascular cambium is absent and vascular bundles are scattered. Because of this, monocots are not able to form annual rings of hardened tissue (wood), as a result of this they do not have woody, strong stems. Most of the times stems are unbranched. | In dicots, vascular cambium is present and vascular bundles are in ring. So mostly they have strong, woody and branched stems. |
| Roots | Monocots have fibrous / adventitious root system. Roots grow out from shoot tissue near the base. As the first root emerging from germinating seed dies, monocots fail to form central, strong tap root system. | Dicots have branching roots with a strong, thick tap root (tap root system). |
| Flower parts / Stamen / Pollen Grain | Monocots have flowers (flower parts) with multiples of three petals. Many of the times sepals and petals have same color, giving flower a six petal look. Often number of stamens equal to the number of petals. Monocots have pollen grains with one aperture (slit). | Dicots have flowers (flower parts) with multiples of four or five petals. They have pollen grains with three apertures (slits). |
| Fruits / Seedpod / Seeds | Monocots generally have large, fleshy seeds. Fruits or seedpods are generally comprised of three parts. | Dicots posses’ variety when it comes to size and shape of fruits / seedpods / seeds. Generally they have greater number of seeds per seedpod as compared to monocots. |
| Germination and Growth | Germinating monocot seed gives out single embryonic leaf i.e. cotyledon. | Germinating dicot seed gives out two embryonic leaves i.e. cotyledons. |
To know definition and examples of monocots and dicots visit the page Monocot – Dicot – Examples