226 



BOTANY OF THE LIVING PLANT 



borne by the main axis ox peduncle, as in Verbena (Fig. 172). Or the lateral 

 flower-stalks {pedicels) may be elongated, giving the condition of the typical 

 Raceme, as in the Currant (Fig. 173). Or again the pedicels may be themselves 

 branched, as in the Vine, giving the panicle (Fig. 174). Such differences 

 depend partly upon differences of intercalary growth, partly upon branching 

 of a higher order. In all of them the distal buds develop latest. It happens, 

 however, not uncommonly that the characters may be mixed. For instance, 

 a cymose tendency may appear in the higher branchings of a panicle ; as is well 

 seen in the inflorescences of Figwort, where the terminal flower of the lateral 

 branches blooms before those seated below. 



Fig. 173. 

 Inflorescence of Currant : a raceme. (After Figuier.) 



The racemose type is particularly subject to extreme differences of growth in 

 length. The result is seen in certain inflorescences which characterise large 

 famihes. The most important are the Umbel and the Capitulum. Both result 

 from suppression of growth in length. If the axis be abbreviated in the part 

 that bears the pedicels these will all appear to originate from the same level, 

 giving a candelabrum-like branching, called a simple Umbel (Fig. 170, D), 

 The subtending bracts are also grouped into a close investment just below 

 the group of branches. It is caUed collectively an involucre, and serves for 

 protection in the young state (Fig. 175). The branching may be repeated 

 in each of the pedicels, each being provided with a partial involucre of bracts. 

 The result is the Compound Umbel (Fig. 176). But as in other complicated 

 inflorescences, the bracts of the partial, and even the general involucre, are 

 liable to be reduced, or entirely absent. The closely grouped buds protect 

 one another while young, so that the bracts become superfluous, and are 

 liable to be suppressed. Such inflorescences are characteristic of the Umbelli- 

 ferae ; but various degrees of abbreviation of the axes are found in other 



