Angiospermae

The most familiar plants like pea, mango, coconut, wheat and rice come under the group called Angiosperms. Their seeds are always enclosed in the fruit which is a mature, fertilized ovary.

The angiosperms are divided into two groups or classes:

1. Dicotyledons
2. Monocotyledons

Dicot plants have two cotyledons in seeds whereas Monocots have only one cotyledon within the seeds.

Families of Angiosperms

Angiosperms include the most diverse and widespread members of the Kingdom Plantae.

Flowers offer a large number of characters which are constant and as such these are used for grouping of angiosperms into different families. Within each family are included plants which show similarities in organization of various parts of the flower. Examples of families:

• Fabaceae - Pea family includes all the pulses
• Malvaceae - China rose family
• Liliaceae - Lily family
• Poaceae - Grass family includes cereal