198 KINDS AND FORMS OF PEDUNCLE. 
it is called the rachis or axis ; butif, instead of being elongated, 
it becomes more or less dilated, and usually bearing numerous 
flowers, it is termed the receptacle. This receptacle varies very 
much in form ; thus, it is flattened in the Cotton Thistle (fig. 
427), conical in the Chamomile, concave and fleshy in the 
Dorstenia (jig. 407), pear-shaped and hollowed out in the Fig 
(fig. 406); or it assumes a variety of other intermediate forms. 
The peculiar receptacle of the Dorstenia is sometimes termed a 
cenanthium ; and that of the Fig ahypanthodium ; or both kinds 
are sometimes characterised by the latter name. 
It should be observed, that the term receptacle is also applied 
by some botanists to the extremity of the peduncle or pedicel, 
upon which the parts of the flower are placed, whether enlarged 
or not, and whether bearing one or a number of flowers (see 
Thalamus). 
When plants which have no aerial stem bear flowers, the 
peduncle necessarily arises at, or under, the ground, in which 
case it is called a scape or radical peduncle (fig. 402), as in the 
Spring Snowflake, Tulip, Hyacinth, Primrose, and Cowslip. 
The scape may either bear one flower as in the Tulip, or several 
flowers as in the Hyacinth. 
Forms of Peduncle.—In form the peduncle is generally more 
or less cylindrical, but besides the departure from this ordinary 
Fic. 408. Fic. 409. 
Fig. 408, Female plant of Vallisneria spiralis, with its flowers arranged on 
spiral peduncles. ——/“ig. 409. Portion of a branch of the Butcher’s Broom 
(Ruscus aculeatus), with phylloid pedicels (cladodes), bearing flowers, a. 
appearance as exhibited by the receptacle just described, and 
its modifications, it frequently assumes other forms. Thus, it 
may become more or less compressed, or grooved in various 
ways, or excessively enlarged during the ripening of the fruit, 
as in the Cashew-nut ; or it may assume a spiral character, as 
