Monocot and Dicot Comparison Discovery Kit®

Introduction (from the activity booklet that comes with this kit):

Flowering plants are typically categorized into two main groups: monocotyledons and dicotyledons. Monocotyledon (monocot) seedlings typically have one cotyledon (seed-leaf), and dicotyledon (dicot) seedlings have two. Monocot leaves have a parallel vein structure (tightly-spaced parallel veins running the length of the leaves), while dicot leaf veins are reticulated (consisting of a network of veins). The vascular tissues (cells that transport food and water) in monocot stems occur in bundles found scattered throughout the stem (in groupings of sieve tube cells). Vascular tissues in dicots grow from a cambium ring (growth cells under the bark that encircle the stem). With a hand lens, you can see the vascular bundles on the bamboo and the circular rings (produced by the cambium layer) on the oak tree cross-sections. Monocot flower petals occur in multiples of three (3, 6, 9) while dicot flower parts occur in multiples of 4 or 5. Monocots, like grass, have many small fibrous roots and no central stem. These roots are called adventitious. Dicots have a taproot—one long central root. Dicot trees are more likely to have bark than similar-sized monocots like giant bamboo. Kit contents: This kit contains five 3x hand lenses, five bamboo cross-sections, five oak cross-sections (from tree trimmings), and an activity guide.