THE ANGIOSPERMAE 



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Fig. 1045. — Simple inflorescence types. A. Raceme. B. L^mbel. C. Spike. D. Capitulum. 

 E. Comnb. F. Drepanium. G. Panicle. H. Cincinnus. {After Velenovsky.) 



mon in the compound form known as a panicle. This latter name has been 

 very inexactly used. It may be taken to apply to any loosely arranged 

 aggregate of inflorescences of which the units may be either cymose or 

 racemose. A pleiochasium is one of the cymose types, the axis terminating 

 in a flower, below which arise an indefinite number of laterals, each of which 

 is itself another pleiochasial cyme with several laterals. Racemose panicles 

 i.e., compound racemes, also occur, especially among the grasses. 



A mixed type of panicle also occurs, the thyrsus, in which the main 

 axis is indefinite, that is, the inflorescence as a whole is monopodial, but 

 the lateral axes are cymose. The typical thyrsus is usually somewhat con- 

 densed, as in Syringa. The condensed thyrsus of Dipsacus closely resem- 

 bles a capitulum (see below), but each flower has a separate involucre and 

 the order of opening is from the middle towards both ends, not acropetally 

 as in a true capitulum. 



Very condensed cymes are characteristic of the Labiatae, usually axil- 



