INFLORESCENCE

Learning outcome:
i.

To define inflorescence.

ii. To identify the parts of an inflorescence.

iii. To differentiate inflorescence from simple
flower.

iv. To compare determinate and indeterminate

inflorescence.
v. To describe the types of inflorescence.

 Some flowers do not appear solitary in a stem.

They are generally arranged in a fixed pattern we
call inflorescence.
An inflorescence may be defined as a cluster of
flowers, all flowers arising from the main stem
axis or peduncle.
Flowers included in
generally called florets.

the

inflorescence

are

 Inflorescences with youngest flower at the end of

the main axis (rachis) are called "indeterminate"
(i.e. terminal bud continues to produce new
flowers).
Inflorescences with oldest flower at the end of the
main axis are called "determinate" (i.e. terminal
bud stops growing and lateral flowers are
produced from axillary buds.)
Inflorescences can be:
Single: when all the flowers are gathered in the
same single pattern.

Compound: when a complex pattern is made of

another single patterns.

Main single inflorescences

1. Raceme - Florets are attached along a floral
peduncle with stems similar in length. Young
florets appear above and old ones below.

2. Spike - Inflorescences similar to racemes, but florets

are attached directly to the floral peduncle,without
stems.

3. Corymb - All the florets are arranged along a

floral peduncle but, differently to racemes, stems
have different length in such a way that all the
florets appear at the same flat round level. Each
flower stem originates from different point on the
main stem. Outer flowers opens first.

4. Umbel - Florets arise from the same point of the

peduncle.

5. Head / Capitulum - Florets bearing no stem are

gathered together on a platform-shaped peduncle.
This is the inflorescence characteristic in the daisy
family.
Ray floret
Disc floret

Involucre

6. Cyme - a central flower opens first and later

flowers are borne on branches below it. Some
cymes are one-sided (scorpioid cymes)

7. Catkin - a pendulous inflorescence, made up of

many small stalkless flowers.

8. Spadix - a thick, fleshy spike of unisexual,

apetalous flowers, often surrounded by a vaseshaped or funnel-like modified leaf or spathe
which is often brightly colored. The male flowers
are typically clustered above the female flowers
on an erect, phallus-like spike.

Main compound inflorescences

1. Panicles - formed by several racemes

gathered together.

2. Compound umbels - formed by several

umbels gathered together.

FLOWER EVOLUTION
Primitive traits

Advanced traits

Flower parts many

Flower parts of an indefinite
number
Flower parts free
Flower parts spirally
arranged
All types of flower parts
present
Flowers bisexual
Ovary superior
Flower of regular symmetry
Flowers conspicuous
Ovules exposed

Flower parts few

Flower parts of a definite
number
Flower parts fused
Flower parts whorled

Some types of flower parts

missing
Flowers unisexual
Ovary inferior
Flower of irregular symmetry
Flowers inconspicuous
Ovules enclosed