class Dicotyledones
n : comprising seed plants that produce an embryo with paired
cotyledons and net-veined leaves; divided into six (not
always well distinguished) subclasses (or superorders):
Magnoliidae and Hamamelidae (considered primitive);
Caryophyllidae (an early and distinctive offshoot); and
three more or less advanced groups: Dilleniidae; Rosidae;
Asteridae [syn: Dicotyledones, Dicotyledonae, class
Dicotyledonae, Magnoliopsida, class Magnoliopsida]