PLANT ORGANS AND ORGANISMS 
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solitary flower or a compound inflorescence consisting of several 
flowers. 
Determinate, cymose, descending, or centrifugal inflorescence is that 
form in which the flower bud is terminal, and thus determines or 
completes the growth of the stem. Example: Ricinus communis. 
Indeterminate, ascending, or centripetal inflorescence is that form in 
which the flower buds are axillary, while the terminal bud continues 
to develop and increase the growth of the stem indefinitely. Exam- 
ple: the Geranium. 
Mixed inflorescence is a combination of the other two forms. 
Example: Horse Chestnut. 
Fig. 62. — Types of indeterminate inflorescence. A, A raceme; B, a spike; C, a 
catkin; D, a corymb; E, an umbel. The flowers are represented by circles; the 
age of the flower is indicated by the size. ( From Hamaker.) 
Tht flower stalk is known as the peduncle, and its prolongation the 
rachis, or axis of the inflorescence. 
The flower stalk of a single flower of an inflorescence is called a 
pedicel. When borne without such support the flower is sessile. 
A peduncle rising from the ground is called a scape, previously 
mentioned under the subject of stems. 
The modified leaves found on peduncles are termed bracts. These 
vary much the same as leaf forms, are described in a similar manner, 
