Difference Between Dicot and Monocot

The key difference between dicot and monocot is that the dicot is a flowering plant that possesses two cotyledons in its seeds while the monocot is a flowering plant that possesses one cotyledon in its seeds.

Angiosperms and gymnosperms are two categories of seed plants that produce seeds and carry out maintenance of their generations by seeds. The flower is the remarkable characteristic that differentiates angiosperms from gymnosperms. Gymnosperms produce seeds, yet they do not produce flowers or fruits. There are two main groups of angiosperms namely monocots and dicots. These two angiosperm groups differ from each other by many characteristics. However, they share many similarities that are common to all angiosperms. Therefore, one of the distinguishable characteristics that separate dicots from monocots are the number of cotyledons in their seeds. As the name implies, monocots have one cotyledon in each seed. On the other hand, dicots have two cotyledons. Furthermore, they differ by floral characteristics, venation patterns, root systems, leaf characteristics, seed germinations, etc., that are discussed in this article.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Dicot
3. What is Monocot
4. Similarities Between Dicot and Monocot
5. Side by Side Comparison – Dicot vs Monocot in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Dicot?

Dicot is a flowering plant that contains two cotyledons in their seeds. Hence, upon seed germination, it produces two leaves in the seedling. Accordingly, dicots are one of the two plants groups of flowering plants (angiosperms). These plants are mostly annual plants. Furthermore, they contain tap root systems. Also, they produce flowers that have floral parts in multiples of four or five. Their seed germination can be hypogeal or epigeal. When considering the leaves of dicots, leaves are broad and show net-like or reticulate venation pattern. In dicot leaves, stomata can be seen only in the lower epidermis, which is an adaptation to minimize excess water loss and to maximize photosynthesis.

Another characteristic feature of dicot plants is the cambium tissue. Unlike monocots, dicots can enlarge by the diameter since they possess a cambium in their stems and roots. Furthermore, when considering the distribution of vascular bundles in the cross sections of stems and roots, they are arranged in a ring unlike in monocots.

What is Monocot?

Monocot is another type of flowering plant that possesses only one cotyledon in its seeds. Hence, upon seed germination, it produces only one leaf in the seedling. Monocot plants are mostly herbaceous. Furthermore, they have long narrow leaves. Stomata can be seen in both surfaces of the leaves. Also, monocots have a fibrous root system. Cambium tissue is absent in their stems and roots. Hence, these plants are not capable of enlarging in diameter. Vascular bundles are scattered throughout the stem cross-section.

Seed germination of monocots is always hypogeal. Apart from those characteristics, floral parts of monocots show multiples of three which is different that of in the dicots. Furthermore, monocots leaves show parallel venation patterns.

What are the Similarities Between Dicot and Monocot?

• Both dicot and monocot plants are two classes of flowering plants.
• They produce seeds.
• Furthermore, they produce colourful flowers.

What is the Difference Between Dicot and Monocot?

Dicot plant has two cotyledons in each seed while monocot plant has one cotyledon in each seed. This is the key difference between dicot and monocot. Accordingly, dicot produces two leaves during the seed germination while the monocot produces one leaf during the seed germination. Thus, this is another difference between dicot and monocot. Furthermore, dicot shows net-like venation pattern while monocot shows parallel venation. Floral parts of dicots are multiples of four or five while the floral parts of monocots are multiples of three. Another main difference between dicot and monocot is the cambium tissue. Cambium tissue is present in dicots while it is absent in monocots.

The following infographic presents the difference between dicot and monocot in a comparable manner.

Summary – Dicot vs Monocot

Dicot and monocot are two types of angiosperms. The key difference between dicot and monocot is the number of cotyledons in the seed. Dicot plant has two cotyledons while monocot plant has one cotyledon. Another difference between dicot and monocot is the leaves. Dicot leaves are broad and show net-like venation pattern while monocot leaves are long and narrow and show parallel venation pattern. Dicot plants are mostly annuals while monocots plants are mostly herbaceous. This is another difference between dicot and monocot. Furthermore, dicot and monocot plants differ from stomata distribution, seed germination, root system, cambium tissue, etc., as mentioned in the article.

Reference:

1.Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Dicotyledon.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 5 Sept. 2016. Available here  
2.“Monocotyledon.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Oct. 2018. Available here  

Image Courtesy:

1.”259806″ by lanailic (CC0) via pixabay
2.”The damage on wheat after using herbicide on monocotyledon in rape tillage”By Agronom – Own work, (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia