Flowers may occur singly, in groups, or in clusters. The arrangement axis is termed an inflorescence. An
The inflorescence may also be Terminal when the vegetative axis is continued into the main axis of the inflorescence, or Lateral, when it arises away from the apex, as is Sweet Pea.
It may be branched or unbranched. The main axis of the inflorescence is called Peduncle.
The inflorescence may be Simple, Compound, Mixed, or Of Special Types.
When branching of the main axis or peduncle is either racemose or cymose, the inflorescence is known as Simple. The simple inflorescence is of two types according to its mode of branching.
The main axis of a racemose inflorescence is sometimes may be compressed and flattened into a disc, bearing a cluster of flowers on its upper surface. In such cases, the arrangement of flowers is Centripetal, i.e., the oldest flowers towards the periphery and the youngest ones towards the Centre.
In a cymose inflorescence, the flowers usually form Clusters. There is an arrangement of flowers in them is centrifugal i.e., the young flowers are towards the periphery and the older ones towards the center.
The main axis may be elongated, shortened, or flattened into a Therefore the classification of Racemose Inflorescence is based on the Development of the main axis and pedicels of the flowers.
The flowers are small and are known as Florets. The florets are crowded on the upper surface of the receptacle and while the inflorescence looks like a single flower. The young flowers are present in the center of the receptacle while the older ones toward the periphery. The receptacle is surrounded at the base by overlapping bracts which form an Involucre.
The capitulum may be homogamous, if all flowers are of the same kind, as in Sonchus, in which the flowers are ligulate (strap-shaped) and bisexual, or heterogamous, in which the flowers are of two types, as in sunflower, the Disc-Florets, tubular and bisexual, occupying the center of the receptacle and the ray florets, ligulate and pistillate or neuter, present at the periphery of the receptacle.
This type of inflorescence is characteristic of the composite.
Cymose Inflorescence may be Uniparous, Biparous, or Multiparous.
(a) Scorpioid cyme: successive daughter axes develop on right and left alternately, forming a zigzag, as in Freesia.
(b) Helicoid Cyme: Successive daughter axes are developed on the same side, either right or left, forming a spiral, e.g., in Begonia and some Solanaceae. In both cases, the basal portions of the successive daughter axes become straightened up, to form a false central axis or Sympodium. It is also called Sympodial Cyme, therefore.
The flowers are arranged in groups or clusters, each of which is really a scorpioid cyme in which the main axis and the successive daughter axes have been reduced and the flowers are almost sessile. The young flowers are either towards the periphery or scattered among the older flowers, as in Acacia, Albizzia.
If the main axis of the inflorescence is branched and the branches bear flowers in the same manner as are present on the main axis, the inflorescence is called a compound Inflorescence. Various types of compound inflorescences met within angiosperms are:
In some inflorescences, the daughter axes are extremely reduced and are crowded in many groups. It is difficult to make out the real mode Of branching in them. Therefore, these are termed as special inflorescences.
In this, the axes are extremely reduced and the perianth leaves are completely suppressed. The main axis ends in a reduced female flower which is tricarpellary and syncarpous pistil, borne on a long stalk.
The flower is surrounded at its base by an involucre. Inside the involucre, surrounding the stalk.
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