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 | edit source]

There are several types of inflorescence, each with its own unique structure and arrangement of flowers.

Raceme[edit | edit source]

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 | edit source]

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 | edit source]

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 | edit source]

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 | edit source]

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 | edit source]

Inflorescence Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.