<P> Epigeal germination (from Greek ἐπίγαιος (epígaios), meaning' above ground'; from ἐπί (epi), meaning' above', and γῆ (gè), meaning' earth, ground') is a botanical term indicating that the germination of a plant takes place above the ground . An example of a plant with epigeal germination is the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). The opposite of epigeal is hypogeal (underground germination). Epigeal is also not the same as hypogeal germination; both epigeal and hypogeal plants will grow differently . </P> <P> Epigeal germination implies that the cotyledons are pushed above ground . The hypocotyl (part of the stem below the cotyledon) elongates while the epicotyl (part of the stem above the cotyledon) stays the same length . In this way, the hypocotyl pushes the cotyledon upward . </P> <P> Normally, the cotyledon itself contains very little nutrients in plants that show this kind of germination . Instead, the first leaflets are already folded up inside it, and photosynthesis starts to take place in it rather quickly . </P>

Under which group of flowering plants do we classify plants that undergo epigeal germination