174 BOTANY 
intensified. For wind-pollination, too, the massing 
together of flowers is an advantage; for, when the 
stigmas are clustered in groups, as is the case with 
the maize, there is a better chance of their arresting 
the pollen grains than if they were arranged singly. 
Moreover, in the latter case, to adequately display the 
flowers, more energy must be expended on the produc- 
tion of the flower stalks. 
The term inflorescence denotes the grouping and 
arrangement of the flowers produced on any one floral 
axis. The main stalk of an inflorescence is usually 
called the peduncle, but where it forms an unbranched 
leafless axis arising from the midst of radical leaves 
(7.e., leaves springing from the ground) and bears 
flowers at its apex, as in the cowslip, it is known as a 
scape. The stems of individual flowers in an inflor- 
escence producing more than a single flower are termed 
pedicels, 
Bracts (Fig. 111) are modified leaves, which, when 
present, usually protect the flowers of an inflorescence 
while in the bud. In the violet a small bract springs 
from either side of the peduncle. In the arum a large 
white flower-like bract known as a spathe protects 
the spike-like inflorescence within. The dandelion and 
most other members of the daisy family have a ring 
of bracts forming what is called an involucre, situated 
immediately below the inflorescence. 
Forms of Inflorescence. Inflorescences may be 
either definite or indefinite, the latter being by far the 
commoner. 
In an indefinite inflorescence (Figs. 112-1134) the 
youngest flowers and buds are at the end of the 
peduncle. Those produced nearer the base open first, 
and there is an indefinite succession of blooms, each 
produced nearer the tip than the one that opened 
before it. In other words, the flowers are produced in 
acropetal (Gk. akros apex and peto I seek) succession. 
