INFLORESENCE. 



69 



130 



Fig. 129 



5. Panicle, Fig. 129. A panicle 

 bears its flowers in a loose, irregularly di- 

 vided raceme, or cluster, but differs from 

 it in the sub-divisions of its foot-stalks. 

 It sometimes consists of several small 

 spikes, fixed by separate peduncles to a 

 common stem. When the stalks are 

 distant, it is called a diffuse or lax pani- 

 cle, as in London Pride (Saxifraga um- 

 broscf.) The Oat, and many grasses are 

 examples of the panicle. 



'Thyrsus. A Panicle, the middle branches of which are 

 longer than those of the base or apex, in consequence of which 

 it assumes an ovate form, is called a thyrsus. The flower 01 

 the Lilac, (Syringa vulgaris,} is a good example. 



Spadix, Fig. 130. A spadix differs from a spike ; 

 the flowers of the former being crowded or packed 

 close together on a succulent stem, or elongated re- 

 ceptacle, which stem is partly enveloped in a spathe 

 or sheath. The dark colored, club-shaped part of 

 the figure, marked , is the spadix of the Indian 

 Turnip, (arum triphyllum,) partly enclosed in its 

 spathe, or sheath. In a few instances, as in the 

 Golden Club, (Orontium,) the spadix is naked, or 

 without a spathe. Dr. Drummond, from whom this 

 cut is taken, remarks, that this plant has a 

 blance to an image standing in a case, and 

 has received the ridiculous name of " Jack in a box," and 

 " Jack in a pulpit." The Skunk Cabbage, (Pothos fatida,) and 

 the Indian turnip, (arum,) are also good examples of the spathe 



Corymbus, Fig. 131, (a corymb.) This 

 is a raceme, in which the lower flower 

 stalks are long, and the upper ones short, 

 so that the flowers are nearly on a level. 

 In general appearance it resembles the 

 umbel, but in the latter the foot stalks sur- . 

 round the stem at the same height, and are 

 all nearly of the same length. Yarrow, 

 (Achittea,) and Spear-leaved Golden Rod, 

 (Solidago lanceolata,) are common exam- 

 ples. 



What is the shape of a panicle, and what are examples 1 What is tho 

 form of a thyrsus ? What common flower is an example of the thyrsus ? 

 How does a spadix differ from a spike 1 Which is the spathe and which 

 tire spadix. as shown by the figure ? What is the form of a corymb ? 



Ireland 



