Racemose and Cymose Inflorescence

When the main axis of the inflorescence extends continuously and flowers are present laterally on the floral axis, the inflorescence is said to be racemose. Flowers are arranged in an acropetal arrangement.

Cymose: The main axis of the inflorescence does not grow continuously in the cymose kind of inflorescence. On the main axis, a flower is present at the end of the main axis. The blooms are borne in a basipetal (or bottom-up) fashion. Growing along the main axis is restricted.

In addition to these two forms, there are three further types of inflorescences that are found.

These are the ones:

1. Hypanthodium: The main axis produces a cup-shaped structure with a cavity containing both male and female flowers as well as a small apical opening, which is characteristic of this species. For example, Ficus
2. Cyathium: The cup-shaped structure is generated by the involvement of bracts in this species. The single female flower is located in the centre of the arrangement, which is encircled by a large number of stalked male flowers. For example, Euphorbia
3. Verticillaster: This style of inflorescence is seen in plants that have opposite leaves on the same stem. From the axils of two opposite leaves, Verticillaster produces two clusters of sessile flowers that are borne in clusters. Each cluster is arranged in a dichasial cyme pattern. For example, Ocimum, Salvia
4. Cymose Inflorescence is a type of flower that grows in clusters. “The presence of a flower at the apex of the flower axis distinguishes the cymose inflorescence from other inflorescences.”

Cymose inflorescences are classified into several categories.

Cymose inflorescences are classified into four categories:

1. Cyme monochasial (single-chasial)

1. The cyme dichasial
2. A cyme of polychasial morphology
3. Capitulum with a cymose appearance
4. Monochasial cyme, also known as uniparous cyme, is a type of cyme that has only one egg. In addition to the main axis, which concludes in a flower, the plant generates one lateral branch from the base, which also ends in a bloom. Each lateral branch and subsequent branch also develops one lateral branch with a terminal blossom on each lateral branch and subsequent branch. It is further subdivided into two forms of monochasial cyme:

2. Scorpioid: For example, Gossypium and Drosera have lateral branches that develop alternately on both sides of the axis.

Helicoid: Lateral branches develop on the same side, resulting in the formation of a helix, as in Begonia and Heliotropium are examples of such plants.

3. Dichasial cyme is also referred to as biparous cyme. The flowering peduncle is the end of the terminal peduncle. It produces two lateral branches, each of which has a flower at the end. Subsequent branches behave in a similar manner as well. For example, jasmine with saponaria

4. Polychasial cyme (also known as multiparous cyme) is a type of cyme that has several eggs. On the peduncle, many branches emerge from the base of the apical bloom, forming a tangle. The oldest flower is located in the centre of the bouquet. For example, 

Peduncle is reduced to a circular disc in this form of arrangement, and the capitulum is shaped like a star. The older blooms appear in the centre of the disc, while the younger flowers appear on the periphery of the disc. Centrifugal arrangement is the term used to describe this. For example, Acacia and Mimosa

Conclusion 

This is due to the fact that the main axis’ growth is restricted, and the lateral axis likewise terminates in a flower, which also limits the main axis’ growth. Flowers are present in the basipetal succession, which means that the older flowers are found terminally and the younger flowers are found at the base of the plant. It is called a centrifugal arrangement because the older flowers are arranged in the centre of the arrangement and the younger flowers are arranged on the periphery.