anthophyta

Members of the Division Anthophyta (informally called angiosperms) are the flowering plants. They are characterized by the presence of flowers (not always obvious), and have their seed enclosed inside an ovary (fruit).

Classes of flowering plants

The Division Anthophyta is divided into two classes, the Class Monocotyledones (commonly called "monocots") and the Class Dicotyledones (commonly called "dicots").

Monocots include plants such as the grasses, palm trees, iris, palms, corn and orchids. The name "monocotyledones" is derived from the fact that plants in this class produce one cotyledon ("mono" = one). The cotyledon is also called a "seed leaf"; a structure used to store food for the young seedling.

Dicots include apple trees, magnolia trees, oaks, sunflowers, peas and cacti. Members of the dicotyledones have two cotyledons ( "di" = two) .

There are other differences between these two classes, differences that are much easier to see than the cotyledons. You will explore some of those differences in the student research questions below.

STUDENT RESEARCH QUESTIONS:
9. In general, how does the leaf shape and venation (pattern of veins on the leaf) of a
monocot differ from that of a dicot?
10. How does the flower of a monocot differ from the flower of a dicot?

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