119.] 



SPECIAL FORMS OF INFLORESCENCE. 



139 



356. The spadix is a thick, fleshy rachis, with 

 flowers closely sessile or imbedded on it, and usually 

 with a spathe, as in Calla (432), or without it, as in 

 Golden-club (436). 



357. The catkin or ament is a slender, pendent 

 spike with scaly bracts subtending the naked, sessile 

 flowers, all caducous (falling) together, as in Birch, 

 Beech, Oak, Willow. 



358. The raceme is a rachis bearing its flowers on 

 distinct, simple pedicels. It may be erect, as in Hya- 

 cinth, Pyrola ; or pendulous, as in Currant, Black- 

 berry. The corymb differs from the raceme in having 

 the lower pedicels lengthened so as to elevate all the 

 flowers to about the same level. The corymb often 

 becomes compound by the branching of its lower 

 pedicels, as in Yarrow. 



444 445 



444. Staphylea trifolia a pendulous, paniculate cyme. 445, Catalpa a panicle. 



359. An umbel consists of several pedicels of about 

 equal length radiating from the same point the top 

 of the common peduncle, as Milk-weed, Onion. When 



