Which leaf venation pattern is typical of monocots?

• A. Diagonal venation.
• B. Parallel venation.
• C. Reticulate venation.
• D. Pinnate venation.

Answer: (B)

Parallel venation is what monocot leaves typically show. Here, the major veins run alongside each other from the base to the tip with little cross-connecting network, giving a streamlined, stripe-like appearance. This pattern reflects how vascular bundles are arranged in monocots and helps identify them, as many grasses and related plants display it. In contrast, most dicots exhibit reticulate or net-like venation, where veins form an interconnected network with a prominent midrib and many branching veins. Pinnate venation is a common form of this net-like pattern, centered on a main midrib, which you’d expect in many dicots rather than monocots. So, the leaf venation pattern typical of monocots is parallel venation.