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
cyme - more or less flat topped, with outer flowers opening last.  There are several types of cyme arrangements.
composite head - a dense cluster of ray and disk flowers on a very short axis
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) diagram of a spike inflorescence shapeAgastache foeniculum, example of a spike inflorescence shape
spathe and spadix - a thick, fleshy flower spike (spadix) surrounded by a leaf or bract (spathe)
solitary - a single flower Image result for solitary inflorescence
raceme - simple with pedicelled flowers
panicle - branched flower; the individual branches are either raceme or corymb-like

 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT INFLORESCENCE TYPES