Ill] 



TYPICAL RACEME 



19 



axis a monopodium, as already described (Fig. 1); the 

 youngest flower-bud is nearest the still elongating apex, 

 and like the successively older ones is on a short pedicel 

 springing from the axil of a bract. Here we have a 

 typical monopodial inflorescence ; and it is agreed that 

 where, as here, an elongated peduncle bears lateral flowers 

 each on its own pedicel, and in acropetal succession, the 

 youngest being at the top and the others older and older 

 as we descend, the inflorescence is indefinite. In the 

 typical case the apex does not end in a flower, but con- 

 tinues to grow forward for some time, indefinitely ; but 

 in most cases the process at length ceases by the develop- 

 ment of a terminal bud. 



Such an indefinite, monopodial inflorescence, in which 

 the pedicels are short and approximately equal, is termed a 

 Raceme, and is characteristic of very many plants, such as 

 the Foxglove, Lily of the Valley, Hyacinth, and Cherry 

 Laurel, where it is erect, and the Black and Red Currants, 

 Barberry, Laburnum, Robinia (Fig. 4), &c., where it is 



Fig. 4. Pendent Eaceme of Kobinia. 



22 



