What Is a Cotyledon?

A cotyledon is part of the embryo within the seed of a plant. Often when the seed germinates, or
begins to grow, the cotyledon may become the first leaves of the seedling. Botanists use the number
of cotyledons present in the seed of a plant as a means of classification. Monocots are seeds that
have only one cotyledon, while dicots are plants with two cotyledons. The cotyledons are formed
during the process of embryogenesis along with the roots and shoots of the plant prior to
germination.

Function of Cotyledon
In dicot plants, the cotyledons are photosynthetic and function like leaves. The cotyledons are the
first part of the plant to emerge from the soil. Some cotyledons last only days after growing from the
soil and give way for other plant growth, while some cotyledons can last for years. The cotyledons
are important for the new plant as it begins to grow because they contain the stored food reserves
from the seed to give the plant its initial burst of energy to grow.

Types of Cotyledon
Botanists typically classify cotyledons as epigeal or hypogeal. Epigeal cotyledons expand after the
germination of the seed, rise above the ground, and become photosynthetic. Hypogeal
cotyledons remain below the ground after they emerge from the seed and do not become
photosynthetic. Hypogeal cotyledons typically serve as a food storage organ, providing nourishment
for the growing plant.