What is Monocot Root? Definition, Structure, Characteristics, & Examples
Last Updated :
23 Jul, 2025
Plants that have seeds containing only one cotyledon are known as monocot plants. The root of monocot plants is called monocotyledon root or monocot root. It is a fibrous root with a wide network of thin roots originating from the stem.
The monocot root has more than 8 vascular bundles and this is described as polyarch. It has a large developed pith. Monocot root examples are peas, beans, peanuts, and maize. In this article, we will read about monocot root cross-sections, diagrams, and characteristics of monocot roots.
What is Monocot Root?
Monocot root is found in monocotyledon plants containing one cotyledon. Monocotyledon root is a fibrous network of thin roots that develop from the stem and lie close to soil surface. These roots grow horizontally in the soil and cover a large area. They help in anchoring the plants and absorbing water and nutrients. Monocot roots example are grasses, lilies, and orchids.
Monocot Root Diagram
The diagram of monocot root is given below:
Monocot Root Cross-Section
The primary structure of monocot root consists of the following parts:
Epiblema
- This is the outermost layer of the monocot root. Single-layered, thin-walled parenchymatous cells, colorless, polygonal without intercellular spaces.
- Presence of unicellular root hairs that help in absorption of water and minerals, hence also called piliferous layer or rhizodermis.
- Cuticle, protective coating seen on stems and leaves, is absent
- Stomata are also absent
Cortex
- Cortex might be heterogeneous with outer dead exodermis.
- It forms the largest cell region consisting of multiple layers.
- The cortex cells are made of parenchymatous cells, which helps in storing food and water because of their thin walls and large intercellular spaces.
Endodermis
- It has barrel-shaped parenchyma without intercellular spaces.
- Casparian strip, made of suberin and lignin, is present in young endodermal cells.
- Group of cells called passage cells that conduct fluids are present
- Endodermis help in regulating the movement of water, ions and hormones in vascular system
Stele
The stele of monocot root consists of primary vascular tissues, pericycle, and its associated ground tissues (i.e.pith).
Pericycle
- Pericycle in monocot root consists of single-layered sclerenchymatous cells and parenchyma cells.
- Present just below endodermis
- Pericycle gives lateral roots only
- secondary growth is absent
Vascular Tissues
- Vascular tissue is made up of alternate strands of xylem and phloem
- Vascular bundles are radial
- Xylem is an exarch (protoxylem towards the outside; metaxylem in middle)
- More than 6 vascular bundles are present hence called "polyarch"
- Metaxylem elements are oval or circular
Pith
- Thin-walled parenchymatous cells present
- May or may not have intercellular gaps between each cells
- Pith is large or rarely reduced
Monocot Root Characteristics
Characterstics of Monocot roots are given below:
- Presence of slight walled cells in the epiblema.
- Nonattendance of fingernail skin and stomata.
- Unicellular root hairs are present.
- Presence of section cells and casparian thickenings in the endodermis.
- Presence of parenchyma cells in the pericycle.
- Conjunctive tissue are present
- Presence of a particular substance.
- Presence of spiral vascular packs with polyarch condition and exarch xylem.
Monocot Root vs Dicot Root
The difference between monocot and dicot root is given below:
Monocot root
| Dicot root
|
| The monocotyledonous plants have a single cotyledon. | The dicotyledonous plants have 2 cotyledons |
| They have a fibrous root system | They have a tap root system |
| Xylem patch more than 6 (polyarch) | Xylem patch 2-6 (diarch to hexarch) |
| Large well developed pith | Absent or under developed pith |
| Secondary growth absent | Secondary growth present |
| monocotyledons root example: pea, bean, maize, palm | dicots root example: beans, cauliflower, apples, pear |
Also Read: Difference between Dicot and Monocot Root
Conclusion - Monocot Root
The plants with monocot roots have one cotyledons. The anatomy of monocot roots is: epidermis, cortex, endodermis and stele (pericycle, vascular bundle and pith). The xylem of monocot root is polyarch.
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