What feature characterizes dicot plants?

Dicot plants are characterized by having two cotyledons in their seeds, which distinguishes them from monocots that only possess one cotyledon. The cotyledons are the first leaves that develop from a seed and play a crucial role in the early stages of growth by providing nutrients to the plant until it can produce its own leaves and perform photosynthesis. This dual presence of cotyledons is a defining feature of dicots and is linked to their overall structure and development.

In addition to this seed characteristic, dicots often exhibit broad leaves and a net-like vein pattern, which contrasts with the parallel venation typically found in monocots. While fibrous root systems may be present in many plant types, it's more common for dicots to possess a taproot system, enhancing their ability to access deeper water sources. Therefore, the presence of two cotyledons in seeds is the fundamental trait that helps identify dicot plants in the angiosperm classification.