THE INFLORESCENCE. 



79 



Fig. 137. 



Corymb of Ornithogalum. 



Panicled cyme of Alisma Plantago. 



Fig. 140. 



Umbellate inflorescence of 

 Butomus umbellatus. 



Compound umbel of the Carrot. 



Umbel. The umbel is formed by a number of single flowers 

 borne on long stalks of nearly equal length arising from one point, 

 as in the common Cherry, the Cowslip, &c. In the family of Um- 

 belliferae, so called from the prevalence of this inflorescence, the 

 umbels are mostly compound (fig. 140) ; that is, the first set of 

 peduncles do not- bear flowers, but secondary sets of radiating 

 branches, forming umbellules, or secondary umbels. Inflorescences 

 of this general character are termed umbellate even when definite. 



