How many seed leaves do monocots have?

Monocots, also known as monocotyledons, are a group of flowering plants characterized by having one seed leaf, or cotyledon, in their seeds. This single cotyledon is a defining feature that differentiates monocots from dicots, which possess two cotyledons. The single seed leaf of monocots plays a crucial role in the early stages of a plant's life, providing nutrients during germination and aiding in the initial stages of photosynthesis.

In terms of plant structure and development, this characteristic of having one cotyledon is significant because it affects various aspects of the plant's morphology, such as leaf shape, root system, and flower structure. Monocots typically exhibit parallel leaf venation, fibrous root systems, and floral parts in multiples of three, which are all influenced by their seed leaf configuration.

While other options may suggest varying numbers of seed leaves or none at all, the distinctive feature of monocots having just one cotyledon is fundamental to understanding plant classifications in botany.