THE FLOWER 



265 



Fig. 249. 

 Raceme. 



Fig. 250. 

 Panicle, 



If the peduncle bears stalked flowers, the mflorescence is 

 called a raceme (Poinciana), if the pedicels are branched again, 

 the raceme becomes 

 a panicle (Mango, 

 Paddy). If the flo- 

 wers of a raceme 

 are sessile on the 

 peduncle, we have a 

 spike (Pepper Vine, 

 Orchis). A spike 

 uith a fleshy axis, 

 covered by a spathe, 

 is a spadix (Aroidea^) 

 but one with a weak 

 pendulous axis a 

 catkin (Sapium). 



Racemose inflo- 

 rescences are also the umbel and the head. Here the main axis 

 is shortened. The umbel has its flowers stalked and all spring- 

 ing from the top of the 

 peduncle. In the head of 

 the Compositte the peduncle 

 ends in a more or less 

 flattened receptacle sur- 

 rounded by an involucre 

 of bracts, and supporting 

 densely crowded, sessile 

 flowers. 



i^b) Cymose inflores- 

 cences. — The main axis 

 terminates in a flower and does not elongate. But below this 

 flower, which opens first, one or several lateral pedicels are 

 given off, each terminating again in a flower. This may be 

 repeated several times. Thus an inflorescence is formed, the axis 

 of which is composed of the consecutive axes of the first, second, 

 third order and so on. Figures 254 — 256 represent cymes in 

 which the successive lateral axes come oft' either in one and 



:cmxt4:> 



Fiff. 252.— Umbel. 



Fisr. 253.— Head. 



