Inflorescence

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Inflorescence is a term in botany that refers to the arrangement of flowers on a plant. The structure of an inflorescence can range from a simple cluster of flowers, to a complex arrangement of branches. The main types of inflorescence include the raceme, spike, panicle, umbel, and corymb.

Types of Inflorescence

There are several types of inflorescence, each with its own unique structure and arrangement of flowers.

Raceme

A raceme is a type of inflorescence that is unbranched and indeterminate, meaning that the flowers bloom from the bottom up. The flowers are attached by short equal stalks at equal distances along a central stem.

Spike

A spike is similar to a raceme, but the flowers are attached directly to the central stem, rather than on stalks. Spikes are common in grasses and orchids.

Panicle

A panicle is a branched raceme. It is a compound raceme, with a central stem and side branches, each of which may be further divided.

Umbel

An umbel is a type of inflorescence in which the flower stalks arise from a common point, like the ribs of an umbrella. This type of inflorescence is common in the carrot family.

Corymb

A corymb is a type of inflorescence in which the flower stalks grow in such a way that the outer flowers are at the same level as the central ones, creating a flat or slightly convex shape.

See Also

• Flower
• Botany
• Plant morphology

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