Which term describes plants with one seed leaf, such as the iris?

• A. Dicotyledon
• B. Monocotyledon
• C. Gymnosperm
• D. Angiosperm

Answer: (B)

Monocotyledon describes plants with one seed leaf. Iris is a classic example of a monocot, which is why this term fits best. In monocots, the single cotyledon is part of a broader pattern—leaves with parallel veins, flower parts usually in multiples of three, vascular bundles scattered in the stem, and a fibrous root system. These features help differentiate monocots from dicots, which have two seed leaves, net-like leaf veins, flower parts in fours or fives, and a central taproot. Angiosperms are flowering plants that include both monocots and dicots, while gymnosperms are seed plants that do not produce flowers. The question’s focus on the seed-leaf count points to monocotyledon as the specific description.