One of the two major divisions of the angiosperms (a group characterized by having ovules borne in ovaries) bearing two (or rarely more) cotyledons or seed leaves, comprising most of the familiar seed plants.
One of the two major subdivisions of the flowering plants (the other, lesser one is the monocotyledons). Characterized by a pair of seed leaves, the leaves mostly with a reticulate pattern of veining, and flower parts mostly in fours or fives (or multiples thereof). Most broad-leafed trees and shrubs are dicotyledons, as are major plant families such as the daisy, rose, legume, carrot and mint families.