MOEPHOLOGY OF EEPEODUCTIVE ORGANS 115 



invohict-e. These varieties of arrangement have been already 

 alluded to when speaking of bracts. 



When an umbel springs laterally from a stem in such a way 

 that there is no primary peduncle at all, it is sometimes 

 called a fascicle. It must not, however, be confused with the 

 fascicle which is a variety of the polychasium (page 121). 



Fig. 219. 



I'i'j. 218. Branclied spadix of a Palm iC/iamierops), enveloped in a spathe. 

 Fig. 319. Inflorescence of Wheat {Triticnm mdgare), consisting of nume- 

 rous sessile spikelets arranged on an elongated peduncle irachis). 



Fig. 220. Branched or panicled arrangement of the spikelets of the Oat 

 (Avena saliva). 



C. Forms with a Dilated Fleshy Axis. 



These can be seen to be constructed on the same type as the 

 raceme. In the latter the main axis is a very much elongated 

 cone, and each flower or branch is subtended by its bract. In the 

 simplest forms of the flattened type the cone becomes very much 

 shortened and dilated at its base, so that the order of expansion of 

 the flowers is centripetal rather than acropetal. In the more com- 

 plicated ones the conical form bythe still further dilatation of the 



