Changes

==Name, characters==

==Name, characters==

this is good stuff. point of view the number of cotyledons is neither a particularly handy (as they are only present for a very short period in a plant's life), nor totally reliable character.

The name monocotyledons is derived from the traditional botanical name ''Monocotyledones'', which derives from the fact that most members of this group have one [[cotyledon]], or embryonic leaf, in their [[seed]]s. This as opposed to the traditional [[Dicotyledon]]es, which typically have two cotyledons. From a diagnostic point of view the number of cotyledons is neither a particularly handy (as they are only present for a very short period in a plant's life), nor totally reliable character.

Nevertheless, monocots are a distinctive group.<ref>{{cite journal | title=Monocot relationships: an overview | url=http://www.amjbot.org/cgi/content/full/91/10/1645 | journal=American Journal of Botany |  year=2004 | volume=91 | pages=1645-1655 | author=Mark W. Chase }}</ref> One of the most noticeable traits is that a monocot's flower is [[trimerous]], with the flower parts in threes or in multiples of three. For example, a monocotyledon's flower typically has three, six, or nine petals. Many monocots also have [[leaf|leaves]] with parallel veins.

Nevertheless, monocots are a distinctive group.<ref>{{cite journal | title=Monocot relationships: an overview | url=http://www.amjbot.org/cgi/content/full/91/10/1645 | journal=American Journal of Botany |  year=2004 | volume=91 | pages=1645-1655 | author=Mark W. Chase }}</ref> One of the most noticeable traits is that a monocot's flower is [[trimerous]], with the flower parts in threes or in multiples of three. For example, a monocotyledon's flower typically has three, six, or nine petals. Many monocots also have [[leaf|leaves]] with parallel veins.