This type of inflorescence is the characteristic of the families Gramineae and Cyperaceae.Д«ut the ultimate inflorescence formed by the spikelets are complex and compound. In a flower the perianth is usually represented by 2 or 3 lodicules which are very small, membranous and cuneate structures at the base of the ovary. C вЂ“ Male spikelet of Maize with two male flowers. B вЂ“ Many flowered (bisexual) spikelet of Wheat. Opposite to each lemma there stands a bracteole called palea. without flowers other bracts above it subtend flowers in their axils known as flowering glumes or lemmas. In a spikelet the lower first and second bracts, known as glumes, are empty i.e. floral axis may be very small or long produced beyond the glumes-the so-called bracts of this inflorescence. (vi) Locusta or Spikelet вЂ“ This is a condensed spike subtending one or few flowers the rachilla i.e. It is found in members of Araceae (species of Colocasia, Amorphophallus etc.) as well as in many species of Palmae. (v) Spadix вЂ“ It is a modified spike with fleshy rachis and large bract (the spathe) covering the inflorescence. Catkin is also found in some members of Euphorbiaceae, e.g. (iv) Amentum or Catkin вЂ“ It is a spike of unisexual flowers with weak drooping peduncle which ultimately breaks off from the parent plant.Д®xamples - families Juglandaceae (Engelhardtia spicata), Betulaceae (Corylus colurna), Salicaceae (Salix tetrasperma) etc. No particular family can be assigned to it. Aerva aspera, Deringia amaranthoides (Amaranthaceae) and others. (iii) Spike вЂ“ Like raceme but flowers are sessile e.g. pedicels, so that the basal flowers stand on the same level as upper ones e.g. (ii) Corymb вЂ“ A typical raceme with unequal flower stalks i.e. B вЂ“ Spike of Tube rose showing paired flowers at the axil of each bract called spathe. This type is not helpful in determining a particular family as it occurs in many families. found also in other dicotyledons as well as monocotyledons. nigra (Brassicaceae), Croton bonplandianum (Euphorbiaceae) etc. flowers open in acropetal order.Д®xamples - Cleome viscosa (Capparidaceae), Crotalaria juncea (Papilionaceae), Brassica juncea, B. stalked flowers opening from base to apex i.e. (i) Raceme вЂ“ Primary axis or rachis long, bearing pedicellate i.e.

Indefinite or racemose inflorescence consists of the following types : oldest flower near the base and the youngest towards the apex, or flowers opening in centripetal manner on a fleshy and dilated rachis called receptacle.

rachis is never terminated by a flower, but continues to grow giving off flowers laterally in acropetal order i.e. In this type, the primary floral axis i.e. Definite or Cymose inflorescence and III. Indefinite or Racemose inflorescence, II. Inflorescences are mainly of three types (Green, 1904):.

grass inflorescence produced beyond the flower is also known as rachilla. rachis) developing from an underground stem is known as scape. Sometimes the rachis instead of developing into a long axis, is condensed to form fleshy, flat or dilated structure called receptacle. The floral axis of an inflorescence bearing flowers is called rachis and the stalk of the individual flower is known as pedicel.ДЇlowers having pedicels are called pedicellate and those without pedicels i.e. The stalk of the inflorescence is known as peduncle. Inflorescence meaning: Inflorescence is the branch or branch-system bearing flowers or вЂњis the arrangement of flowers on the floral axis and is a branch systemвЂќ.

Scorpioid cyme inflorescence