The flowers are wonderful. Whatever the color or colors, appearing alone or in groups, with larger or smaller petals … they all have something special. But, Do you know what inflorescences are?
We are used to seeing plants that produce more or less separated flowers. However, there are others that produce them in a different way, more striking if possible. Discover more.
What are inflorescences?
An inflorescence It is a set of flowers that sprout from the same stem. In some plants, such as magnolia or tulip, a single flower sprouts, which is why it is said to have a uniflora inflorescence. In the event that it consists of more than one, as in gladiolus or wheat, they are said to have multi-flowering inflorescences.
Uniform inflorescences
They can be terminalthat is, after the flower withers, the flower stalk dies, or axillarywhich means that the inflorescence arises from a branch that will continue to grow after flowering. Both may or may not consist of a peduncle (the stem that connects each flower to the flower stem) and bracts (leaves that protect the flower).
Pluriflora inflorescence
They are the easiest to distinguish. Several flowers emerge from each stem They can be very small as in the case of the rice plant, or somewhat larger like those of the bulbous Amaryllis. They can also consist of peduncles and bracts.
Types of inflorescences
Depending on its distribution and how branched the stem is, we can distinguish different types:
Image – Slide player
As we see in the image, there are nine main types of inflorescences. Now, there are two types that are said to be special, because they do not follow any specific pattern for the branching of the floral axis. They are as follows:
- Syconus: the floral axis is fleshy and enveloping; the flowers are unisexual and occur in equal numbers. Example: Ficus.
- The opening: the shaft is fleshy; the flowers are unisexual, with male flowers and a single female flower in the center. Example: it is typical of the Euphorbia.
Did you know what inflorescences were?
