Study Guides/Biology/Racemose Inflorescence
Study Guide · Biology

What is Racemose Inflorescence?

In Class 11 Biology (Morphology of Flowering Plants), the arrangement of flowers on the floral axis is called 'Inflorescence'. There are two main types: Racemose and Cymose. Let's study the Racemose Inflorescence.

Question (Click to Flip)

What is racemose inflorescence?

Answer

Racemose inflorescence is an arrangement where the main stem continues to grow endlessly, and flowers grow on the sides in an acropetal succession (older flowers at the bottom, younger buds at the top).

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Key Facts

Inflorescence: The arrangement of flowers on a plant stem.

Racemose Main Axis: Never stops growing.

Acropetal Order: Old flowers at the base, new buds at the tip.

What is Racemose Inflorescence?

In a Racemose inflorescence, the main axis (the central stem) continues to grow endlessly and does not terminate into a flower. Instead, the flowers are born laterally (on the sides) of the growing stem.

Acropetal Succession:

  • The defining feature of the racemose type is that the flowers bloom in an acropetal succession.
  • This means the older, fully bloomed flowers are found at the base (bottom) of the stem, while the younger flowers and new buds are found at the very tip (top) of the growing stem.

Racemose vs Cymose

  • Racemose: Main axis continues to grow; flowers are in acropetal succession (Oldest at the bottom). Examples: Mustard, Radish, Gulmohar.
  • Cymose: The main axis stops growing because it ends in a flower; flowers are in basipetal succession (Oldest at the top/center). Examples: Jasmine, Bougainvillea.

Questions and Answers

What is racemose inflorescence?+

Racemose inflorescence is an arrangement where the main stem continues to grow endlessly, and flowers grow on the sides in an acropetal succession (older flowers at the bottom, younger buds at the top).

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