FLOWERS 



113 



or snapdragon in some type of racemose inflorescence, with 

 the lowest flower buds opening first, while the central axis 

 continues to grow in length, forming new flower buds. The 

 flowers may be sessile, that is they may grow directly from 

 the stem or spike, as does the gladiolus, when they are called 

 spikes or they may grow on short stems or pedicels, ^^^^^rjsr>s,. 



Fig. 20. Zinnia. A, general view. B, section to show the position of the two 

 kinds of flowers. C, a ray flower. D, a disc flower with a bract. E, a disc flower split 

 to show the united stamens and the two-parted stigma. A and B, natural size. C, D, 

 and E, 2 x. 



hibiscus, when they are called racemes. A bloom with outer 

 flowers on longer pedicels than the younger ones and the 

 main axils a little elongated so that the top is flattened as 

 it is in cherry blossoms is called a corymb. In the wild carrot 

 flower the main axis is an umbel. The head is an inflores- 

 cence with a very short axis and sessile flowers as in the 



