Editing Monocotyledon (section)

=== Vegetative ===
====Organisation, growth and life forms====
The most important distinction is their growth pattern, lacking a [[lateral meristem]] ([[cambium]]) that allows for continual growth in diameter with height ([[secondary growth]]), and therefore this characteristic is a basic limitation in shoot construction. Although largely herbaceous, some [[arboraceous]] monocots reach great height, length and mass. The latter include [[agaves]], [[palm (plant)|palms]], [[pandans]], and [[bamboos]].{{sfn|Du et al|2016}}{{sfn|Soltis|Soltis|2016}} This creates challenges in water transport that monocots deal with in various ways. Some, such as species of ''[[Yucca]]'', develop anomalous secondary growth, while palm trees utilise an anomalous primary growth form described as [[:wikt:establishment growth|establishment growth]] (''see'' [[#Vascular system|Vascular system]]). The axis undergoes primary thickening, that progresses from [[internode (botany)|internode]] to internode, resulting in a typical inverted conical shape of the basal primary axis (''see'' Tillich, Figure 1). The limited conductivity also contributes to limited branching of the stems. Despite these limitations a wide variety of adaptive [[growth forms]] has resulted (Tillich, Figure 2) from [[epiphytic]] [[orchids]] (Asparagales) and [[bromeliads]] (Poales) to submarine [[Alismatales]] (including the reduced [[Lemnoideae]]) and [[mycotrophic]] [[Burmanniaceae]] (Dioscreales) and [[Triuridaceae]] (Pandanales). Other forms of adaptation include the climbing vines of [[Araceae]] (Alismatales) which use negative phototropism ([[skototropism]]) to locate [[host (biology)|host]] trees (''i.e.'' the darkest area),{{sfn|Strong|Ray|1975}} while some palms such as ''[[Calamus (palm)|Calamus manan]]'' ([[Arecales]]) produce the longest shoots in the plant kingdom, up to 185&nbsp;m long.{{sfn|Dransfield|1978}} Other monocots, particularly [[Poales]], have adopted a [[therophyte]] [[life form]].<ref name=Tillichfig1/><ref name=MausethAFG/>{{sfn|Petit et al|2014}}{{sfn|Tomlinson|Esler|1973}}{{sfn|Leck et al|2008}}

====Leaves====
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The cotyledon, the primordial Angiosperm [[leaf]] consists of a proximal leaf base or hypophyll and a distal hyperphyll. In monocots the hypophyll tends to be the dominant part in contrast to other angiosperms. From these, considerable diversity arises. Mature monocot leaves are generally narrow and linear, forming a sheathing around the stem at its base, although there are many exceptions. [[Leaf venation]] is of the striate type, mainly arcuate-striate or longitudinally striate (parallel), less often palmate-striate or pinnate-striate with the leaf veins emerging at the leaf base and then running together at the apices. There is usually only one leaf per node because the leaf base encompasses more than half the circumference.{{sfn|Tomlinson|1970}} The evolution of this monocot characteristic has been attributed to developmental differences in early zonal differentiation rather than meristem activity (leaf base theory).{{sfn|Tillich|1998}}{{sfn|Rudall|Buzgo|2002}}<ref name=TakhtajanLiliops/>

====Roots and underground organs====
The lack of cambium in the primary [[root]] limits its ability to grow sufficiently to maintain the plant. This necessitates early development of roots derived from the shoot (adventitious roots). In addition to roots, monocots develop [[stolon|runners]] and [[rhizomes]], which are creeping shoots. Runners serve [[vegetative propagation]], have elongated [[internodes]], run on or just below the surface of the soil and in most case bear [[scale leaves]]. Rhizomes frequently have an additional storage function and rhizome producing plants are considered [[geophytes]] (Tillich, Figure 11). Other geophytes develop [[bulbs]], a short axial body bearing leaves whose bases store food. Additional outer non-storage leaves may form a protective function (Tillich, Figure 12). Other storage organs may be [[tubers]] or [[corms]], swollen axes. Tubers may form at the end of underground runners and persist. Corms are short lived vertical shoots with terminal [[inflorescences]] and shrivel once flowering has occurred. However, intermediate forms may occur such as in ''[[Crocosmia]]'' (Asparagales). Some monocots may also produce shoots that grow directly down into the soil, these are [[wikt:geophilous|geophilous]] shoots (Tillich, Figure 11) that help overcome the limited trunk stability of large woody monocots.<ref name=Kubitzmmonohist/><ref name=TakhtajanLiliops/>{{sfn|Chase|2004}}{{sfn|Tillich|1998}}