what is the difference of a monocot from a dicot?

The distinction between monocots and dicots is an extremely important one for numerous reasons (I can get into those later...). The distinction is the number of cotyledons that a seed contains. All seed producing plants are either monocotyledonous (having one cotyledon) or dicotyledonous (having two cotyledons). Monocot and dicot are the shortened versions of these words. Cotyledons are part of a seed's embryo and provide nutrients for the young, germinating plant.
The easiest way to tell the difference between the two is usually by examining the veins on a leaf:
-parallel veins (like corn leaves, tulip leaves, grass) are monocots
-"branching" veins (maple leaf, etc) are dicots
Another distinguishing characteristc is number of flower petals
-total number divisible by 3 = monocot
-total # divisible by 4 or 5 = dicot
also examine the seed, although this can often be difficult. Think of a peanut that is already out of its shell. you've probably seen them split in half; each half is a cotyledon, one of the halves will have a little nub that contains the other seed parts. if a seed can split inot two relatively equally parts it is a dicot.
Your best bet are the leaves though as they are hardest to make mistakes on. Hopefully its not winter where you are. Good luck and keep learning...peace

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what is the difference of a monocot from a dicot?

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