Which venation pattern is typical of monocots?

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

Answer: (C)

Monocots typically show parallel venation in their leaves, meaning the veins run side by side in the same direction from base to tip with little cross-branching. This clean, linear vein pattern is a hallmark of many monocots like grasses and lilies. The other patterns describe networks or branched arrangements more common in dicots: reticulate venation forms a net-like grid; pinnate venation is a type of reticulate pattern with a central midrib and lateral veins branching from it. Convergent venation isn’t a standard description for monocots and is more often associated with leaves where veins meet at a point, as in some palmately veined leaves. So the parallel venation is the best match for monocots.