214 
THE LIFE OF FLOWERING PLANTS 
are larger and more showy than those which are arranged 
in clusters. 
The more common flower clusters can be identified by 
reference to the illustrations and to the explanations accom¬ 
panying them. Note that the flowers in a cluster are, in 
general, smaller or less 
conspicuous in color than 
are the solitary ones. 
Raceme .—This is a stem 
which bears flowers on 
both sides or spirally, each 
flower having a bract or 
reduced leaf at its base. 
The flowers may all hang 
from one side of the stem 
as in lily-of-the-valley or 
currant. 
Compound Raceme. — 
Here each pedicel branches 
regularly, as false Solo¬ 
mon’s seal. 
Thyrse. — This is a com¬ 
pact panicle forming an 
oval or pyramidal cluster, 
as bunch of grapes, lilac, 
horse-chestnut blossoms. 
Head .—This is a raceme 
in which the axis is very 
much flattened, or much 
rounded, as clover. 
Corymb. — This is an inflorescence in which the lower 
pedicels are longer, forming a flat-topped cluster, as haw¬ 
thorn. How does this cluster differ from the umbel of the 
wild parsnip in appearance and in structure ? 
In forget-me-not, hound’s tongue, and heliotrope, only 
Figure 200. — Compound Umbel of 
Wild Carrot. 
Note the fly which in crawling around 
is distributing pollen. 
