What is a key characteristic of monocots?

Monocots, or monocotyledons, are a group of flowering plants characterized by having a single cotyledon in their seeds. This single leaf structure distinguishes them from dicots, which possess two cotyledons. The presence of one cotyledon affects various aspects of the plant's development and physiology, including leaf venation patterns, root development, and flower structure, where monocots typically exhibit floral parts in multiples of three. This unique feature plays a crucial role in plant classification and can assist in understanding their growth habits and ecological preferences.