Plants can be broadly classified into flowering and non-flowering plants. Flowering plants are called as angiosperms while non- flowering plants are known as gymnosperms. Angiosperms are further classified based on the nature of the embryo in the seed into Monocotyledonous and Dicotyledonous plants.Dicots are plants that have seeds with two cotyledons and so are termed as dicotyledonous plants. Examples: Sunflower, MangoMonocots are plants that have seeds with one COTYLEDON and so they are called as monocotyledonous (monocot) plants. Example: Sugarcane, MaizeAnatomy of Dicotyledonous and Monocotyledonous PlantsBoth sets of plants differ structural features: Stems , leaves, flowers, and roots.Dicotyledonous Plants(Source: Plantlist)RootsThese plants have a tap root systemThey have two layers: the outermost epidermis which sometimes forms root hairs, the inner endodermis or the cortex.The epidermis consists of loosely packed cells whereas the endodermis has tightly packed cells.The central pith is inconspicuous.StemsStems are usually solidCambium is presentThe number of xylem and phloem are two to four and they are distinguished by a layer of parenchymatous cells called conjunctive tissue.Vascular bundles in the stem are fewer and arranged in circles or ringsPith is evident as is made up of palisade cellsBundle sheath absent around vascular bundlesPericycle is presentPhloem parenchyma and phloem FIBRES are presentLeavesThey have reticulate or net venationLeaves have a stalkThe mesophyll that contains chloroplasts is composed of spongy and parenchymatous cellsFlowers and seedsFlowers are usually pentamerous i.e the floral parts are present in numbers of fiveSeeds germination either hypogeal or epigeal.They have two cotyledonsThe pollen grains have three furrows or pores.Examples of dicotyledonous plants: Tomatoes, Cauliflower, beans, apples, potatoes, etcMonocotyledonous PlantsRootsThey have an adventitious root systemPith is large and conspicuousThe number of xylems is 6 or moreSecondary growth is absent in monocots due to an absence of cambiumStemNo cambium and so no secondary growth in stemStem usually hollowVascular bundles in the stem are scattered and numerousPhloem parenchyma is absentPith is absentVascular bundles are surrounded by a sclerenchymatous bundle sheathPericycle is absentLeavesThe leaves are sessile i.e it is directly attached to its base (without stalk)They have parallel venationMesophyll is not differentiated into spongy and palisade cellsFlowers and seedsSeed germination is hypogealThey have a single cotyledonFlowers are incomplete and trimerous(floral parts are in the number of threes)The pollen grains have a single furrow or poreExamples of monocotyledonous (monocot) plants: Maize, Corn, Grass, WheatUnderstanding the anatomy of these plants is useful from the horticultural and agricultural aspects. Choosing the RIGHT product for the right kind of plant is important. A herbicide or pesticide designed for a monocot might not help kill PESTS around a dicot. Due to the tap root system that is found in dicots, they can penetrate deeper into the soil compared to monocots who have a fibrous root system which cannot penetrate that deep.Learn more about the concept of Tissue System here in detail .Solved Example for YouQ: Which of the following are features of dicot plants(a) Taproot system (b) Fibrous root system(c) Two cotyledons (d) both a and cSol. (d) both a and cDicot plants have a taproot system, and seeds contain two cotyledons. The fibrous root system is found in monocots. So, the correct answer is (d) both a and cPrevious NextCustomize your course in 30 secondsWhich class are you in?Leave a Reply Subscribe BROWSEAnatomy of Flowering PlantsPlant TissuesTissue SYSTEMTHE FruitThe SeedSecondary GrowthStem: Functions, Structure, and TypesLeafInflorescenceFlowerAnatomy of Dicotyledonous and Monocotyledonous Plants