26 



ELEMENTS OF BOTANY. 



A raceme is an inflorescence in which nearly equal secondary axes 

 rise along the primary one ; it is simple when the secondary axes termi- 

 nate in a single flower (Fig. 38) ; compound when they branch before 



Fig. 38. — Simple raceme of the red currant. 



Fig. 39.— Corymb of a cherry. 



flowering. A compound raceme is termed a panicle. A panicle of an 

 ovoid shape, having the central pedicels longer than the outer, is called a 

 thyrse. 



Fig. 40. — A compound corymb. 



A corymb resembles a raceme, but has its lower pedicels longer than 

 the upper ones, thus bringing the flowers upon a level with each other. It 

 may be simple (Fig. 39) or compound (Fig. 40). 



An umbel has its secondary axes diverging from the same point, like 



