monocotyledon

[ mon-uh-kot-l-eed-n ]

noun

, Botany.

1. an angiospermous plant of the class Monocotyledones, characterized by producing seeds with one cotyledon and an endogenous manner of growth.

monocotyledon

/ ˌmɒnəʊˌkɒtɪˈliːdən /

noun

1. any flowering plant of the class Monocotyledonae, having a single embryonic seed leaf, leaves with parallel veins, and flowers with parts in threes: includes grasses, lilies, palms, and orchids Often shortened tomonocot Compare dicotyledon

monocotyledon

/ mŏn′ə-kŏt′l-ēd′n /

1. Any of a class of angiosperm plants having a single cotyledon in the seed. Monocotyledons have leaves with parallel veins, flower parts in multiples of three, and fibrous root systems. Their primary vascular bundles are scattered throughout the stem, not arranged in a ring as in eudicotyledons. Grasses, palms, lilies, irises, and orchids are monocotyledons.
2. See more at leafCompare eudicotyledon

Derived Forms

• ˌmonoˌcotyˈledonous, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of monocotyledon¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1720–30; mono-, cotyledon

Example Sentences

Desiccation tolerance to survive prolonged drought evolved independently in diverse monocotyledon and eudicotyledon lineages, and is found in at least 300 species.

From Nature

As such, it sheds new light on the monocotyledon lineage.

From Nature

Many monocotyledons do well in peat, even if they do not absolutely require it.

From Project Gutenberg

It is often seen in Wheat and other monocotyledons when the young leaves unfold in cold weather in spring.

From Project Gutenberg

In internal structure grass-culms, save in being hollow, conform to that usual in monocotyledons; the vascular bundles run parallel in the internodes, but a horizontal interlacement occurs at the nodes.

From Project Gutenberg