ANGIOSPERMS. 407 



A. Racemose (monopodial) inflorescences, in the widest sense of the term, are pro- 



duced, when the primary axis or rhachis of the branch-system gives rise to 

 a larger or smaller number of lateral shoots in acropetal succession, in which 

 the power of development is less or at least not greater than that of the 

 portion of the primary axis which lies above their point of insertion. 



a. Spicate inflorescences arise, when the lateral axes of the first order do not branch 



and are all flowering axes ; the rhachis terminates with or without a flower, 

 (a) Spicate inflorescences with elongated rhachis : 



1. Spike. Flowers sessile; rhachis slender; e.g. the so-called spikelet in the 

 Gramineae. 



2. Spadix. Flowers sessile ; rhachis thick and fleshy; usually enveloped in a 

 long spathe ; bracts usually not developed ; e. g. Aroideae. 



3. Raceme. Flowers stalked ; e. g. the Cruciferae (without bracts), Berberis, 

 Menyanthes, Campanula with a flower terminating the rhachis. 



(3) Spicate inflorescences with shortened rhachis : 



4. Capitulum. Flowers sessile, densely covering the rhachis which is conical 

 or flattened or hollowed out into the shape of a cup ; bracts often wanting ; 

 e. g. the Compositae, Dipsaceae. 



5. Simple umbel. Flowers stalked in a rosette and springing from a much 



shortened rhachis ; e. g. Hedera Helix, etc. 



b. Panicled inflorescences arise, when the lateral branches of the first order branch 



and produce axes of the second and higher orders ; each axis may 

 terminate in a flower, or only those of the last order ; the power of develop- 

 ment usually diminishes from below upwards on the primary axis and on the 

 lateral branches, 

 (a) Panicled inflorescences with elongated rhachis : 



6. True Panicle. Lateral axes elongated, bearing stalked flowers ;e.g. C rambe^ 

 Grape-vine. 



7. Panicle composed of spikes. Lateral axes elongated, bearing sessile flowers ; 

 e. g. Veratrum, Spiraea Aruncus, Ears of Wheat, Rye, etc. 



(3) Panicled inflorescences with shortened rhachis : 



8. Compact spike-like panicle. Shortened lateral axes with their flowers on 

 a prolonged primary rhachis ; e.g. Ears of Barley, Alopecurus. 



9. Compound umbel. Much shortened rhachis bearing a densely compact 

 rosette of partial umbels (umbellules] usually on long stalks (cf. No. 5) ; if 

 the umbel is surrounded by a group of leaves, this is the involucre ; if the 

 umbellule has one, it is the involucel ; one or both may be absent. 



B. Cymose inflorescences 1 are produced by the branching of the primary axis or 



rhachis immediately beneath the first flower in such a manner that each 

 lateral axis itself terminates in a flower after producing one or more lateral 

 axes, which also terminate in flowers and continue the system in a similar 

 manner ; the development of each lateral shoot is therefore stronger than 

 that of the parent-axis above its insertion (Figs. 336 and 337). 



a. Cymose inflorescences without a false axis. Two or more lateral axes with a 

 terminal flower are developed beneath each flower of the inflorescence, and 

 the system is continued by lateral axes of a higher order. 



10. Anthela. Lateral axes are formed in indefinite number on each axis that 

 terminates in a flower ; the lateral shoots growing vigorously overtop the 

 primary axis and develope in such a manner, that the entire inflorescence 

 does not acquire any definite outline (e. g. Juncus lamprocarpus^ J. tenuis, 





Also termed centrifugal inflorescences, the racemose being known as centripetal, 



