172 



INFLOKESCENCE OR ANTHOTAXIS. 



found that the organs of reproduction and of nutrition are modifications 

 of each other. The parts of the flower, as regards their development, 

 structure, and arrangement, may all be referred, to the leaf as a type. 

 They commence like leaves in cellular projections, in which fibro- 

 vascular tissue is ultimately formed ; they are arranged in a more or 

 less spiral manner, and are often partially or entirely converted into 

 leaves. 



1. — Inflorescence, or the Arrangement of the Flowers on the Axis. 



The arrangement of the flowers on the axis, or the ramification of 

 the floral axis, is called Inflorescence or Anthotaxis (ai/^os, a flower, and 

 rd^ig, order). Flower-buds, like leaf-buds, are produced in the axU 

 of leaves, and these are called floral leaves or Iracts. A flower-bud 



has not in ordinary circumstances any 

 power of extension by the develop- 

 ment of its central cellular portion. 

 In this respect it differs from a leaf- 

 bud. In some cases, however, of 

 monstrosity, especially seen in the Rose 

 (fig. 247) and Geum, the central part, 

 A, is prolonged, and bears leaves or 

 flowers. In such cases the flowers are 

 usually abortive, the essential organs 

 being so altered as to unfit them for 

 their functions. Such metamorphoses 

 confirm Goethe's doctrine, that all the 

 parts of the flower are modified leaves. 

 The general axis of inflorescence is 

 sometimes called rachis (ga;^'S, the 

 spine) ; the stalk supporting a flower, 

 or a cluster of flowers, is a peduncle 

 (pes, a foot (flg. 252 a') ; and if small 

 branches are given off by it, they are 

 called pedicels (fig. 252 a"). A flower 

 having a stalk is called pedunculate or 

 pedicellate (fig. 252) ; one having no 

 stalk is sessile (fig. 258). In describ- 

 ing a branching inflorescence, it is 

 common to speak of the Eachis as 

 the primary flotal axis, its branches as the secondary floral axes, 

 their divisions as the tertiary floral axes, and so on; thus avoiding 



Fig. 247. Proliferous or monstrous Eoae, showing the prolongation of the axis beyond 

 the flowers, c. Calyx transformed into leaves, p. Petals multiplied at the expense -of the 

 stamens, which are reduced in numher. /, Coloured leaves representing abortive carpels. 

 a, Axis prolonged, bearing an imperfect flower at its apex. 



Pig. 247. 



