What defines a dicot plant?

A dicot plant is defined by having two seed leaves, also known as cotyledons, in its seed structure. This characteristic is a key feature that distinguishes dicots from monocots, which have only one seed leaf. The presence of two cotyledons plays a significant role in the initial stages of growth and development of the plant, influencing aspects such as the arrangement of leaves, the structure of the flower parts, and the vascular system within the stem.

Moreover, dicots typically exhibit a wide array of additional features, such as net-veined leaves and the ability to develop woody tissues; however, the fundamental defining characteristic lies in the two seed leaves. This trait is crucial for botanists and agricultural scientists when identifying and classifying plants within these two main groups.