CHAPTER XIX 



FLOWER-BRANCHES 



^fe^ 



244. We have seen (87) that branches arise from the 



axils of leaves. Sometimes the leaves may be reduced to 



bracts and yet branches are borne in their axils (225). Some 



of the branches grow into long limbs; others become short 



spurs or thorns (227) ; others bear flowers. 



£ 245. Flowers are usually borne near the 



top of the plant, since the plant must grow 

 before it blooms. Often they are produced in 

 great numbers. It results, therefore, that 

 flower-branches usually stand close together, 

 forming a cluster. The shape and arrange- 

 ment of the flower-cluster differ with the kind 

 of plant, since each 

 plant has its own mode 

 of branching. 



246. Certain definite 

 or well - marked types 

 of flower-clusters have 

 received names. Some 

 of these names we shall 



but the 

 flower-clusters that 



perfectly match the definitions are 



the exception rather than the rule. 



The determining of the kinds of 



flower-clusters is one of the most 



perplexing subjects in descriptive 



botany. We may classify the sub- 

 (118) 



181. Solitary ter- 

 minal flower of disCUSS, 



182. 

 Lateral flower 

 of abutilon. 



