170 



BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS 



CHAP. 



Other Indefinite Inflorescences. There are a few more 

 indefinite inflorescences which remain to be considered. 



Spadix. The spadix is a spike of male and female flowers. 

 The peduncle is fleshy and is continued for a distance above the 

 place where the flowers are inserted. It is enclosed by a large 



sp 

 .-st 



B 



FIG. 173. A, Arum (one-fourth nat. size). B, Spadix of Arum, with the front of 

 spathe cut away. C, Spadix, with the whole of the spathe cut away ; S, spathe ; 

 sp. spadix ; F, female flowers ; M, male flowers ; st, undeveloped male flowers. 



leaf called the spathe, which in the wild form is green, but in a 

 cultivated state is white. Example Arum. (Fig. 173). 



Catkin. The catkin is a crowded spike of inconspicuous 

 sessile male or female flowers. When it consists of male flowers 

 alone, it droos off after flowering. The male flowers of the Oak, 



