92 



THE INFLORESCENCE 



(i) With elongated main axis — 



The panicle {A, Fig. 41). In this form of compound inflor- 

 escence the lateral branches of the main axis are racemes, 

 or more complicated branched racemose inflorescences with 

 stalked flowers. Examples occur in the vine and lilac. 



The co7npound spike (B, Fig. 41) bears lateral inflorescences 

 which are spikes. Examples are seen in wheat and rye-grass. 



In meadow-grasses, oats and other grasses the inflorescences 

 are panicles of spikelets, but are commonly termed panicles 

 only (see pp. 477 and 478). 



ABC 



Fig. 41. — Compound inflorescence : A panicle or compound raceme : B compound 

 spike : C compound umbel, i involucre, i^ involucel. 



(ii) With shortened main axis — 



TYie. compound umbel {C, Fig. 41). In this compound inflor- 

 escence the lateral inflorescences are arranged in the form of 

 an umbel and are themselves simple umbels. The carrot, 

 parsnip, hemlock, parsley and nearly all the Umbelliferse (Chap, 

 xxxi.) furnish examples. 



II. Cymose Inflorescences. 



In this type of inflorescence the main axis terminates in a 

 flower and its growth is therefore stopped. If other flowers arise 



