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.
7.
8.
9. • Raceme
- This
inflorescence has
an unbranched
main axis and all
the pedicels of the
flowers are more
or less the same
length.
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)
13.
14. • Spike
- This
inflorescence
type has a long,
unbranched main
axis which bears
flowers which
have no pedicels
or very short Silver oak (Grevillea robusta)
pedicels.
15. Quiver tree (Aloe
dichotma)
Red hot poker
Gladiolus (Kniphofia sp.)
(Gladiolus 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.
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 Crataegus calpodendron
dogwood.
20.
21. Hydrangea
corymb (group of
Hawthorn
flowers displayed
as a disc)
