INFLOEESCBNCE OR ANTHOTAXIS. 



173 



any confusion that might arise from the use of the terms rachis. 

 peduncle, aiid pedicel. 



The Peduncle may be 

 cylindrical, compressed, or 

 grooved ; simple, bearing a 

 single flower, as in Prim- 

 fose j or branched, as in 

 London-pride. It is some 

 times succulent, as in the 

 Gashew (fig. 248 p), in 

 which it forms the large 

 coloured expansion sup- 

 porting the nut ; spiral, 

 as in Cyclamen and Val- 

 iisneria (fig. 249); pr spiny, as in Alyssum spinosum, 



/ 



Fig. 248. 



Fig. 249. 



In some 

 rushes there is a green terete and sometimes 

 spiral floral axis (fig. 190). Sometimes the 

 peduncle proceeds from radical leaves; that 

 is, from an axis which is so shortened as to 

 bring the leaves close together in the form of a 

 cluster, as in the Primrose, Auricula, Hyacinth, 

 etc. In such cases it is termed a scape. The floral 

 axis may be shortened, assuming a flattened, 

 convex, or concave form, and bearing numerous 

 flowers, as in the Artichoke, Daisy, and Fig. 

 In these cases it is called a Beceptacle or 

 Phoranthium (pogsw, I bear, and an^os, flower), 

 or Clinanthium {xk'nri, a bed, and S,vki;, flower). 

 The Floral axis sometimes assumes a leaf- 

 like or phylloid (^ipvXXov, a leaf, and iTdog, form) 

 appearance, bearing numerous flowers at its 

 margin, as in Xylophylla longifolia (flg. 250), 

 and in Euscus ; or it appears as if formed by 

 several peduncles united together, constituting 

 a fasciated axis, as in the Cockscomb (fig. 251), 

 in which the flowers form a peculiar crest at 

 the apex of the flattened peduncles. Adhe- 

 sions occasionally take place between the 

 pedimcle and the bracts or leaves of the plant, 

 as in the Lime tree, Helwingia, Chailletia, 

 several species of Hibiscus, and in Zostera. 

 The adhesion of the peduncles to the stem 



Fig. 248. 'Emit of C&siiew (Anaccurdivm ocGid&ntale). ^, Enlarged peduncle, a. Fruit, or 

 nut. Pig. 249. Pistilliferoua plant of Vallisneria spiralis, showing spiral peduncles or 

 flower-stalks, by the uncoiling of which the flowers reach the surface of the water, 

 previous to fertUiaation. Fig. 250. Leaf-like {pTuylloicl) flattened peduncle, r, of Zylo- 

 phylla longifolia. ///, Clusters of flowers developed in a centrifugal or cymose manner. 



