What distinguishes dicots from monocots?

Dicots, or dicotyledons, are characterized by having two seed leaves, also known as cotyledons, which is a crucial distinguishing feature from monocots (monocotyledons), which only possess a single seed leaf. This characteristic is significant because it not only affects the early development of the plant but also influences various structural and functional traits.

In dicots, the presence of two cotyledons typically leads to broader leaves and net-like or branching venation patterns, as opposed to the parallel veins commonly found in monocots. Furthermore, the arrangement of vascular bundles in dicots is usually organized in a ring formation, contrasting with the scattered arrangement of vascular bundles in monocots. Therefore, the trait of having two seed leaves is foundational to the classification and differentiation of these two major groups of flowering plants.