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INFLORESCENCE

INFLORESCENCE

A group of flowers which are variously clustered together is called inflorescence. The axis of the inflorescence is called peduncle.

The stalk of the flower is called pedicel.

The inflorescence may be divided into 2 main groups.

RACEMOSE CYMOSE

1: Racemose Inflorescence (Indefinite inflorescence)

In this inflorescence, peduncle grows indefinitely and the flowers are arranged In an acropetal succession or the flowers are arranged in a centripetal manner. Racemose inflorescence are classified into seven groups based on the nature of the branching of peduncle and the presence or absence of pedicels.

a) Simple Raceme

Racemose inflorescence in which the peduncle grows indefinitely and the pedicellate flowers arranged in an acropetal succession Eg: Crotalaria

b) Spike

Racemose inflorescence in which the sessile flowers are arranged in an acropetal succession

Eg: Achryanthes, Amaranthus, etc.

c) Catkin

Pendulous spike with unisexual flowers. Also called amentum. Eg: Acalypha, Morus, etc.

d) Spadix

Spike with a fleshy axis, which is enclosed by brightly coloured bracts, called spathe, as in banana, palms, anthurium etc.

e) Corymb

Here the main axis is comparatively short, and older flowers have much longer pedicel than the younger ones.
All flowers are brought to the same level. Eg: Caesalpinia

f) Umbel

Racemose inflorescence in which peduncle is shortened. The pedicellate flowers arise from the tip of the peduncle in centripetal succession. In the umbel, there is an involucre of bracts seen at the apex of peduncle.

Eg: Biophytum

g) Head or Capitulum

Peduncle becomes modified into receptacle and may be flat, convex, or conical in shape, on which the small sessile flowers are arranged in centripetal succession. The flowers in the head inflorescence are called florets

2. Cymose Inflorescence

In this inflorescence, the main axis or peduncle ends in a flower. Further growth of the axis is carried out by one or more branches. Each branch ends in a flower. In this way, the successive branches end in flowers. So the older flowers are seen at the top and younger flowers are arranged laterally towards the base. This type of development is called basipetal succession. Sometimes the flowers are arranged in a centrifugal manner(older flowers at the centre and younger flowers towards periphery.

a) Simple Cyme

Cymose inflorescence in which the axis of the inflorescence ends in a flower.

From the axis, two lateral branches opposite to one another develops.
Each branch ends in flowers. Thus the inflorescence with three flowers, of which older one is at the top, and younger ones are towards lateral branches. Eg: Jasminum

b) Monochasial Cyme

It is a Cymose inflorescence. Differs from dichasial cyme in having a solitary lateral branch developed only at one side of the peduncle. It is of 2 types.

Helicoid Cyme: Successive lateral branches are developed only on one side of the peduncle. Eg: Hamelia Scorpioid cyme: Successive lateral branches are developed alternately on both sides of peduncle. Eg: Heliotropium

c) Dichasial Cyme

In this, Peduncle terminate in an older flower. The peduncle develops two lateral branches which arises from the axil of the bract of the oldest terminal flower. The lateral branch develops into simple cyme composed of three flowers. Eg: Dianthus

d) Polychasial Cyme

In this the peduncle ends in flower. From the peduncle two or more lateral branches develop that ends in flowers. Each lateral branch may be branched once or several times. Eg: Viburnum

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