How do dicots typically differ from monocots?

Dicots, or dicotyledons, are typically characterized by their ability to undergo secondary growth, which allows for the formation of woody tissues and an increase in stem thickness. This growth occurs through the activity of the vascular cambium, a layer of cells that divides to produce new vascular tissue. This is in contrast to monocots, which generally do not exhibit secondary growth and tend to remain herbaceous and more slender throughout their life cycle.

This ability for secondary growth is important for many dicots, such as trees and shrubs, allowing them to develop a larger structure capable of supporting greater height and size, which is crucial for competition for sunlight and other resources. As a result, many dicots display a greater variety of growth forms compared to monocots, further underscoring the significance of secondary growth in their life cycle and ecological roles.