The document defines and provides examples of different types of inflorescences: - A spadix is a thick, fleshy spike bearing small unisexual flowers tightly packed along its length, characteristic of the arum family. Male and female flowers are separated, with male above female. - A raceme has an unbranched axis with pedicels of similar length bearing flowers. Examples given are sweet pea and Chinese hat. - An umbel has pedicels arising from the same point on the peduncle bearing flowers. Examples given are hydrangea and lantana. - A compound umbel has primary pedicels bearing secondary pedicels with flowers

1. Inflorescence
Prepared by:
Pooja khanpara
APIP, Jamnagar

2. Inflorescence
An inflorescence may be defined as a cluster
of flowers,
all flowers arising from the main stem axis
or peduncle:

3. cyme

4. Solitary
just one flower on the
peduncle

5. Spadix
 is the characteristic inflorescence of the remarkable arum family
(Araceae).
 It consists of a thickened, fleshy axis (spike) bearing clusters of
sessile, apetalous, unisexual flowers.
 The small unisexual flowers are packed together along the lower
region of an erect, phallus-like central spike, typically with male
flowers above the female.
 The upper region of the spadix is usually devoid of flowers.
 Male (staminate) flowers consist of numerous stamens packed
together.

6. while female (pistillate) flowers consist of numerous
individual pistils.
Individual flowers are reduced to a single stamen or pistil
(gynoecium).
The spadix emerges from a vase-shaped or funnel-like
modified leaf or spathe which is often brightly colored.
The spadix of some arums emits a putrid odor that
attracts carrion flies for pollination.

9. Raceme
- This
inflorescence has
an unbranched
main axis and all
the pedicels of the
flowers are more
or less the same
length.

10. Other Raceme
Sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) Chinese hat (Holmskioldia sp.)

11. Umbel
- The peduncle of this type of inflorescence bears
all of the pedicels at its apex.
Hydrangea (Hydrangea
macrophylla) Lantana (Lantana sp)

12. Compound
Umbel
- The peduncle
bears a number of
primary pedicels at
its apex. These do
not bear flowers but
a number of
secondary pedicels
at their apices
which in turn bear
the flowers. Frangipani (Plumeria rubra)

14. Spike
- This
inflorescence
type has a long,
unbranched
main axis which
bears flowers
which have no
pedicels or very
short pedicels. Silver oak (Grevillea robusta)

15. Quiver tree (Aloe
dichotma)
Gladiolus
(Gladiolus sp.)
Red hot poker
(Kniphofia sp.)

16. Head (capitulum)
- which do not have pedicels
- are grouped together on the top of a peduncle
which may be flattened or rounded.
- Daisies (Asteraceae) are a good example
- outer flowers may have one very large petal
- In other families the whole inflorescence may
be surrounded by bracts e.g. the Proteas.
- This gives the impression that the whole
structure is a single flower but it may infact be
hundreds of flowers grouped together.

17. Examples:
King protea (Protea
cynaroides)
Daisy species

18. Mimosa sp.
Pincushions (Leucospermum
sp.)

19. A Corymb
- The main axis of this
inflorescence type is
elongated and
unbranched as in a
raceme, but the pedicels
of the flowers are of
unequal length so that
the entire structure
appears flat-topped.
Examples include
hawthorn, the apple and
dogwood. Crataegus calpodendron

21. HawthornHawthorn
Hydrangea
corymb (group of
flowers displayed
as a disc)

22. Difference of corycomb, cyme and
umbel

23. Spikelet
-like a spike, but
with the flowers
and inflorescence
subtended by
specialized bracts.
Usually applied to
the grass family
(Poaceae)

24. Verticil or
Whorl-
-The flowers
are borne in
a tight circle
at each node

25. PaniclePanicle
The main
axis has
branches
which are
in turn
rebranched

26. Inflorescence Types