CH. II] MONOPODIUM : INDEFINITE INFLORESCENCE 9 



means of the continued growth of the apex, putting 

 out lateral leaves and buds in succession as it elongates 

 in the manner described in Volume I. pp. 64-75 it is 

 clear that the axis thus produced is one continuous whole. 

 It matters not what may be the nature of the outgrowths 

 developed laterally on this axis ; the fact remains that it 

 is a single, continuous one, and its onward growth may be 

 roughly compared with the pulling out of the successive 

 joints of a telescope, each segment representing an inter- 

 node, and each joint a node. A continued, single mother- 

 axis of this kind is termed a Monopodium i.e. a simple 

 axis as contrasted with one made up of intermittent 

 growths (Fig. 1). 



Such an elongated axis, bearing a small leaf at each 

 node and a flower on a little stalk in the axil of each leaf, 

 would be a very simple form of inflorescence. The long 

 axis would here be called the Peduncle, and each small 

 lateral flower-stalk would be termed a Pedicel ; while the 

 small leaves, in the axils of which the pedicels arise, are 

 known as Bracts i.e. leaves, usually of smaller size than 

 the ordinary foliage-leaves and of different shape from 

 them, as well as being closely associated with the flowers. 

 This mother-axis, or peduncle, goes on growing during 

 the greater part of the period of flowering, and therefore 

 indefinitely, as it were, within this period ; which more- 

 over may be a very long one. For this reason such an 

 inflorescence is often termed indefinite ; and the term, 

 though relative, is useful. 



During this prolonged period it puts out new flower- 

 buds near its apex, while those already formed lower down 

 on its sides go on expanding and perfecting themselves in 

 succession. In other words, the youngest flowers are at 

 the top of the axis, and the oldest are at the base, their 

 sequence being such that every flower is one stage further 



