What do you call plants whose seeds contain one cotyledon?

Plants whose seeds contain one cotyledon are classified as monocots. The term "monocot" comes from 'monocotyledon,' and these plants tend to exhibit specific characteristics, including parallel leaf venation, flower parts typically in multiples of three, and a fibrous root system. This classification is part of the broader division of angiosperms, which are flowering plants.

Monocots include a variety of well-known plants such as grasses, lilies, and orchids, making them a significant group in the plant kingdom. Understanding this classification is important in botany and helps when studying plant biology and ecology, as the traits associated with monocots influence their growth habits, reproduction, and adaptations to environments.

The other classifications mentioned – dicots, gymnosperms, and angiosperms – either refer to plants with different seed structures or broader plant categories. For instance, dicots have two cotyledons, while gymnosperms are non-flowering seed plants, and angiosperms include both monocots and dicots.