Inflorescence
Inflorescence is a term in botany that refers to the arrangement of flowers on a plant. The structure of an inflorescence can range from a simple cluster of flowers, to a complex arrangement of branches. The main types of inflorescence include the raceme, spike, panicle, umbel, and corymb.
Types of Inflorescence[edit]
There are several types of inflorescence, each with its own unique structure and arrangement of flowers.
Raceme[edit]
A raceme is a type of inflorescence that is unbranched and indeterminate, meaning that the flowers bloom from the bottom up. The flowers are attached by short equal stalks at equal distances along a central stem.
Spike[edit]
A spike is similar to a raceme, but the flowers are attached directly to the central stem, rather than on stalks. Spikes are common in grasses and orchids.
Panicle[edit]
A panicle is a branched raceme. It is a compound raceme, with a central stem and side branches, each of which may be further divided.
Umbel[edit]
An umbel is a type of inflorescence in which the flower stalks arise from a common point, like the ribs of an umbrella. This type of inflorescence is common in the carrot family.
Corymb[edit]
A corymb is a type of inflorescence in which the flower stalks grow in such a way that the outer flowers are at the same level as the central ones, creating a flat or slightly convex shape.
See Also[edit]
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