Raceme
Raceme is a type of inflorescence characterized by its elongated central axis and flowers that grow laterally from it. Each flower is attached to the central axis by a short stem known as a pedicel. The flowers at the base of the raceme are the oldest, while the ones at the top are the youngest. This pattern of growth is known as acropetal succession.
Structure and Function[edit | edit source]
A raceme is a simple, unbranched inflorescence. The central axis, or rachis, extends from the base to the apex of the inflorescence. The flowers are arranged along the rachis in an alternating pattern. Each flower is attached to the rachis by a pedicel, which provides support and allows for the transport of nutrients and water.
The primary function of a raceme is to display the flowers for pollination. The arrangement of the flowers along the rachis ensures that all flowers are exposed to potential pollinators. The acropetal succession of flower development also ensures that the older, lower flowers are ready for pollination before the younger, upper flowers.
Types of Racemes[edit | edit source]
There are several types of racemes, including:
- Simple Raceme: This is the basic form of a raceme, with flowers arranged along a single, unbranched axis.
- Compound Raceme: Also known as a panicle, this type of raceme has a branched axis, with each branch bearing a series of flowers.
- Spike: This is a type of raceme where the flowers are attached directly to the rachis without pedicels.
- Corymb: This is a type of raceme where the pedicels of the lower flowers are longer than those of the upper flowers, resulting in a flat-topped or rounded inflorescence.
Examples of Plants with Racemes[edit | edit source]
Many plants produce racemes, including species in the Fabaceae (legume family), Brassicaceae (mustard family), and Lamiaceae (mint family). Some well-known examples include:
- Lupinus (Lupines): These plants produce tall, showy racemes with many brightly colored flowers.
- Brassica rapa (Field Mustard): This plant produces simple racemes with small, yellow flowers.
- Salvia (Sage): Many species in this genus produce racemes with tubular, brightly colored flowers.
See Also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
