PLANT ORGANS AND ORGANISMS 
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INFLORESCENCE 
Inflorescence or Anthotaxy. —A typical flower consists of four 
whorls of leaves modified for the purpose of reproduction, and com¬ 
pactly placed on a stem. The terms Inflorescence and Anthotaxy 
are applied to the arrangement of the flowers and their position on 
the stem, both of which are governed by the same law which deter¬ 
mines the arrangement of leaves. For this reason flower buds are 
always either terminal or axillary. In either case the bud may de¬ 
velop a 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 formsr 
Example: Horse Chestnut. 
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