Inflorescence

Inflorescence

The method of arrangment of group of flower is called inflorescence. Most of flower develop inflorescence. Small flower are inconspicuous. They collect together to form inflorescence to attract insects. The main axis of inflorescence is called peduncle. A long unbranched leafless peduncle arising form the ground level is called scape.It has 2 types. Inflorescence may be terminal or axillary. 

       Terminal inflorescence:  In this case the inflorescence is form at  apex of main branch. Main  axis continues  in to inflorescence.  Example of  terminal  inflorescence is Foxglove 

Axillary: During this case inflorescence forms branch.Flower born on the branches.Example is Oxalis

Types of Inflorescence

Inflorescence has different types. These types are given below.

Simple raceme is racemose in which main axis is elongated and bears lateral pedicillate flower is called simple raceme. Example Linaria.

The first type of inflorescence is Raceme .It is present in two forms raceme and compound raceme. Different flower show raceme and compound raceme.

It is type of  inflorescence. Flower are grow on the branches. Flower are developed in to the fruit.

        The spike with unisexual flowers is called catkin. The male catkin falls off as whole after flowering. But female catkin drops off after fruiting. Example Mulberry ( شہتوت)  and Willow.

    In this case of inflorescence main axis is short and pedicles of the the older flower are longer and pedicles of the younger flowers are short. Therefore  all the flower are look as come on the same level. Example of  corymb type flower is candy tuft (چاندنی).

       In the simple umbel main axis above the first flower is much shorter and flower appears to be arised from same point.The younger flower grow to ward the center and older flower are present away from the center. It may be  bractiate or  ebractiate.  Example  of  simple  umbel is cherry and  Hydrocotyle.

        The inflorescence in which main axis is elongated and bears sessile lateral flower is called spike. In the flower bract may be present or absent.Their example are Bottle, Brush and Ginger etc.

It is known as head. In this case of inflorescence main axis is flattend to form receptacle and flower are crowed on the capitulum. The flower are small and sessile. They are called flortes. The young florets are present at the centerand older are present toward the periphery. 

Flower may be bracteate or ebracteate. The captitula is homogamous or hetrogamous. Homogamous  In this case all flower are of same kind. Example Sonchus. Herterogamous Two type of flower are present in the captiula in this case. Example Sunflower. Hypanthodium  It is modified from of capitulum. In this case the receptacle grows upward along its margin and form hollow pear shaped structure. It has apical opening guarded by scales. Unisexual flowers are developed on the inner surface of the hollow receptacle. The male flower are developed at apex near the opening.Example is Banyan and peepal.