CHAPTER XX 



FLOWER-CLUSTERS 



Origin of the Flower-cluster. We have seen that 

 branches arise from the axils of leaves. Sometimes the 

 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 definiteorwell-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 WHITEWEEU (in some 

 places called ox-eye daisy). 



