Inflorescence Types
Inflorescence refers to how the flowers are arranged on the stem
corymb - appears to have a flat top, with the outer flowers opening first |
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cyme - more or less flat topped, with outer flowers opening last. There are several types of cyme arrangements. |
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composite head - a dense cluster of ray and disk flowers on a very short axis |
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umbel - usually flat topped with pedicles and peduncles arising from a common point; resembles an opened umbrella | ![]() |
spike - unbranched, elongated, simple, without individual flower stems (sessile) | ![]() ![]() |
spathe and spadix - a thick, fleshy flower spike (spadix) surrounded by a leaf or bract (spathe) |
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solitary - a single flower |
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raceme - simple with pedicelled flowers | ![]() ![]() |
panicle - branched flower; the individual branches are either raceme or corymb-like |
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