Dicot Stem vs. Monocot Stem

As we know that plants are mainly divided into two types; flowering plants and non-flowering plants (angiosperms or gymnosperms). It should be kept mentioned that around 80% of all the existing green plants are flowering plants. These flowering plants are further divided into monocots and dicots. The monocot is the plant that has only one cotyledon in the embryo, whereas dicot is the plant that has two cotyledons in the embryo. Monocots and dicots differ from each other in four structures: leaves, stems, roots and flowers. Here we’ll be differentiating it between the stem of the monocot and dicot plant.

The main difference between stems of both the plants is due to the arrangement of the vascular bundle. In monocots stem, the vascular bundles are scattered across the stem without any definite arrangement. On the other hand, in dicots stem, the vascular bundles are arranged in the form of one or two broken rings, following that they have a definite shape.

Comparison Chart

Basis Dicot Stem Monocot Stem
Vascular Bundle Arrangement In dicot stems, the vascular bundles are arranged in the form of one or two broken rings, following that they have a definite shape. In monocot stems, the vascular bundles are scattered across the stem without any definite arrangement.
Bundle Sheath Absent In monocot stem the bundle sheath is present as it surrounds the scattered vascular bundles.
Hypodermis The hypodermis in the dicot stem is made up of the collenchyma. The hypodermis in the monocot stem is made up of the sclerenchyma.
Cortex & Stele The vascular system in dicots comprises of the two distinct regions, cortex and stele. The vascular bundles are scattered, they lack the distinct cortex and stele.

What is Dicot Stem?

The dicot stem has single layered epidermis along with the thick cuticle. Mainly the difference in arrangement of the vascular bundles make the difference between them and the monocot stem. As the dicots are more complex as compared to the monocots, they may or may not have the epidermal hairs, which are essential for the insulation, warmth and absorption in plants. Their vascular bundles are arranged in the form of one or two broken rings. These bundles are definite in shape and size and are smaller in size as compared to the bundles in the monocots.

Dicot Stem

The hypodermis in the dicot stem is made up of the collenchyma. The main function of the hypodermis is to secrete the chitinous cuticle; it is present in the epidermal layer of cells in plants. In dicot stem, the epidermis is the outermost layer along with the multicellular epidermal stem hairs. The other important regions of the dicot stem are cortex, medullary rays, pericycle and pith. The vascular system in dicots comprises of the two distinct regions cortex and stele, which are absent in the monocot stems. The bundle sheaths, which have the main function to regulate the substances between the parenchyma and vascular tissues, are absent in the dicots.

What is Monocot Stem?

The monocot stem also has the single layered epidermis along with the thick cuticle, although the epidermal hairs are absent in the case. Due to the presence of the lateral branches, circular stems are absent in monocots. As we know that the main difference between dicot and monocot stem is due to the arrangement of the vascular bundles.

Dicot Stem vs. Monocot Stem

In monocot stems, the vascular bundles are scattered and are arranged indefinitely in such a way that they are spread throughout the steam area. Although the bundle sheath is present in this case, which surrounds these scattered bundles. The hypodermis in the monocot stem is made up of the sclerenchyma. As the vascular bundles are scattered, they also lack the distinct cortex and stele.

Key Differences between Dicot Stem and Monocot Stem

The Key Differences between Dicot Stem and Monocot Stem between Dicot Stem and Monocot Stem are given below

  1. In monocots stem, the vascular bundles are scattered across the stem without any definite arrangement. On the other hand, in dicots stem, the vascular bundles are arranged in the form of one or two broken rings, following that they have a definite shape.
  2. In dicot stem bundle sheath is absent, while in monocot stem the bundle sheath is present as it surrounds the scattered vascular bundles.
  3. The hypodermis in the dicot stem is made up of the collenchyma, whereas the hypodermis in the monocot stem is made up of the sclerenchyma.
  4. The vascular system in dicots comprises of the two distinct regions, cortex and stele. On the other hand, the vascular bundles are scattered, they also lack the distinct cortex and stele.

Video Explanation

5 thoughts on “Dicot Stem vs. Monocot Stem”

Leave a Reply to Ava