Cacti are not monocots; they are dicots. This classification is based on their seed structure and other botanical characteristics.
Monocots and dicots are two major groups of flowering plants. Monocots, short for monocotyledons, have seeds with a single cotyledon (seed leaf). Examples include grasses, lilies, and orchids. Dicots, or dicotyledons, have seeds with two cotyledons. This group includes a wide variety of plants, such as roses, sunflowers, and cacti.
Cacti belong to the family Cactaceae, which is part of the larger group of dicotyledonous plants. They exhibit typical dicot characteristics, such as:
- Two seed leaves (cotyledons) in the embryo.
- Leaf veins that form a net-like pattern.
- Flower parts in multiples of four or five.
- A taproot system.
These features clearly place cacti within the dicot group, distinguishing them from monocots.