Mixed Inflorescences 99 



The verticillaster consists of two cymose bunches placed 

 on opposite sides of the stem, so as apparently to produce a 

 whorl, as in the Lamium album (fig. 158), and other members 

 of the Labiatse. 



Fig 158. — Verticillastet oi Lamium album. 



Mixed Inflorescences. — Sometimes in a plant there is a 

 mixture of the two kinds of inflorescence. Thus in the Dead- 

 nettle, whilst each separate inflorescence is definite, being a 

 verticillaster, yet, taking the whole plant, the arrangement is 

 indefinite, the lower verticillasters opening first. On the other 

 hand, in most of the members of the natural order Compositae, 

 whilst each capitulum is itself indefinite, yet, taking the plant 

 as a whole, the arrangement is definite, for the terminal capitu- 

 lum is the first to open. 



Such an inflorescence is said to be mixed. 



