PHANEROGAMIA 



461 



A spadix is a spike with a fleshy axis ; a catkin a spike which, 

 after flowering or when the fruit is ripe, falls as a whole from the plant. 



(c) The Umbel. — The main axis is contracted and bears stalked 

 flowers (Fig. 395, D). 



Fig. 395. — Diagrams of racemose inflorescences. A, Panicle ; B, raceme ; C, spike ; D, umbel ; 



E, capitulum. 



(d) The Capitulum. — The main axis is contracted and bears 

 sessile flowers (Fig. 395, E). 



B. LATERAL AXES BRANCHED 



(«) The Panicle. — In the panicle, as the term is generally used, 

 the main axis is longer than the lateral axis, the whole inflorescence 

 being correspondingly elongated (Fig. 395, A). 



A corymb is a flattened panicle ; an ANTHELA a panicle in which 

 the lateral axes overtop the central axis. 



II. Cymose Inflorescences. — The lateral axes grow more vigorously 

 than the main axis for the time being, and form a pseudaxis. 



(a) The MONOCHASIUM. — Each relative main axis produces only 

 one branch. 



A monochasium is termed a helicoid cyme or bostryx when the 

 lateral branches always arise on the same side of the pseudaxis 

 (Fig. 396, 0), a Scorpio id cyme or cincinnus when they occur 

 alternately on opposite sides (Fig. 396, B). 



(b) The Dichasium. — Each relative main axis produces two 

 branches (Fig. 396, A). 



(c) The Pleiochasium. — Each relative main axis produces more 

 than two branches. 



Cymose frequently resemble racemose inflorescences, and are then 

 termed cymose panicles, cymose spikes, cymose racemes, etc. 



By the further branching of an inflorescence, compound inflor- 

 escences may occur which are constructed after the same type {e.g. the 

 compound umbel of the UmbeUiferae), or consist of a union of several 



