CHAPTER XX 



FLOWER-CLUSTERS 



have seen that 

 Sometimes the 



Origin of the Flower-cluster. We 

 branches arise from the axils of leaves, 

 leaves may be reduced to bracts 

 and yet branches are borne in 

 their axils. Some of the branches 

 grow into long limbs ; others be- 

 come short spurs ; others bear 

 flowers. In fact, a flower is it- 

 self a specialized branch. 



Flowers are usually borne 

 near the top of the plant. Often 

 they are produced in great num- 

 bers. It results, therefore, that 

 flower branches usually stand 

 close together, forming a clus- 

 ter. The shape and arrange- 

 ment of the flower-cluster differ 

 with the kind of plant, since 

 each plant has its own mode of 

 branching. 



Certain definite or well-marked 

 types of flower-clusters have re- 

 ceived names. Some of these 

 names we shall discuss, but the 

 flower-clusters that perfectly match the definitions are the 

 exception rather than the rule. The determining of the 



'55 



FIG. 211. TERMINAL FLOWERS 

 OF THE WHITEWEED (in some 

 places called ox-eye daisy). 



