INFLORESCENCE. 
83 
2d. Raceme^ (^^ig- 83, a,) consists of numerous flowers, each on 
its own stalk, and all arranged on one common peduncle, as in the 
locust and currant. 
3d. Panicle, (Fig. 88, bears the flowers in a kind of loose, sub- 
divided bunch or cluster, without any regular order ; as in the oat. 
and some other grasses. A panicle contracted into a compact, some- 
what ovate form, as in the hlac, is called a thyrse, as a bunch of grapes. 
Fig. 88. 
4th. Spike, (Fig. 89, a,) this is an assemblage of flowers arising 
from the sides of a common stem ; the flowers are sessile or with 
^ very short peduncles; as the 
grasses and mullein. A spike 
is generally erect. The lowest 
flowers usually blossom and 
fade before the upper ones ex- 
pand. When the flowers in a 
spike are crowded very close, 
an ear is formed, as in Indian 
corn. 
5th. Umbel, (Fig. 89, b,) con- 
sists of several flower-stalks, 
of nearly equal length, spread- 
ing out from a common cen- 
tre, like the rays of an umbrel- 
la, bearing flowers on their 
summits ; as fennel and carrot. 
Fig. 89. 
Raceme— Panicle— Spike— Umbel. 
