192 



OEGAKOGRAPHT. 



his kind of inflorescence are called amentaceous or amentiferous. 

 Our trees aiFord us numerous examples, as the Oak, the Wil- 

 low, the Birch, the Poplar, &c. 



Fig. 392. 



Fig. 393. 



Fig. 392. Inflorescence of "Wheat (Triticuvi), consisting of numerous 



sessile spikelets arranged on a common axis (rachis). Fig. 393. 



Branched inflorescence of the Oat {Avena sativa). 



c. The Spadix is a spike with a succulent axis, in which the 

 individual flowers have no special bracts, but the whole in- 

 florescence is enclosed in that variety of bract which is called a 

 spathe. This is well seen in the Cuckow-pint {Arum macidatum) 

 {fig. 377). Sometimes the spadix branches, as in Palms {fig. 

 391), in which case it is called compound or branching. The 

 term spadix is also frequently applied to a succulent spike, 

 whether enveloped in a spathe or not, as in the Sweet Flag 

 {Acoriis Calamus). 



d. The Locusta or Spikelet. — This name is applied to the 

 partial inflorescence of Grasses {fig. 379), and of plants of the 



