156 



ANTHOTAXY, OR INFLORESCENCE. 



286. Sundry complications and obscurities are occasionally 

 encountered in anthotaxy or phyllotaxy, which cannot here be 



* Lateral axes transverse to the relatively main axis. 



1. Lateral axes in successive generations always falling on the same 



side of the relatively main axis : SCHRAUBEL [screwlike] or BOSTRYX 

 [ringlet or curl], the uniparous helicoid cyme of Bravais. 



2. Lateral axes falling alternately on opposite sides of the relatively main 



axis: WICKEL or CINCINNUS [a curl], the uniparous scorpioid cyme of 

 Bravais. 

 * * Lateral axes medial [in the same plane] relative to the main axis. 



3. Lateral axes in successive generations always on the back side of the 



axis from which it springs: FACHEL, RHIPIDIUM [fan]. 



4. Lateral axes in successive generations always on the upper side of the 



axis from which it springs : SICHEL, DREPANIUM [sickle]. 

 The subjoined simple diagrams from Eichler (Fig. 298-303) illustrate 

 these forms. The ramification is given without the bracts, which theoreti- 

 cally or actually subtend the axes of each generation. The student may add 

 them, and so more readily apprehend the .characters. 



Eichler recognizes the forms with median (antero-posterior) position of 

 j axes in Monocotyledons only. 



It is natural to distichous phyl- 

 lotaxy, and it accords with 

 the general rule that, in mono- 

 cotyledonous plants, the first 

 leaf of the branch, or the com- 

 monly solitary bractlet of the 

 )6 peduncle, stands over against 

 and facing the bract or leaf 

 from the axil of which said 

 branch or peduncle springs, i. e. is posterior and next the parent axis, as 

 shown in the diagram, Fig. 304, 305. 



FIG. 298. Diagram of the Cincinnus. 299. Diagram of the Bostryx. The flower- 

 axes numbered in succession. 



FIG. 300. Diagram of the Rhipidium. 302. Ground plan, indicating the order of 

 evolution of the flowers. 



FIG. 301. Diagram of the Drepanium. 303. Ground plan, the flowers evolved in 

 succession, from left to right. 



PIG. 304. Diagram showing the position of bractlet or first leaf on a branch in 

 Monocotyledons: a is the primary, a/ the secondary axis; b is bract, and &/ bractlet. 



