What is the term for an inflorescence with a main axis and subdivided branches?

What is the term for an inflorescence with a main axis and subdivided branches?

• A. Panicle
• B. Spike
• C. Umbel
• D. Raceme

Answer: (A)

Inflorescence structure with a main axis and subdivided branches is panicle. A panicle features a central flowering stalk that bears branches, and those branches carry flowers on their own pedicels, often with multiple levels of branching. This creates a branched, somewhat tree-like arrangement of flowers, which is exactly what “main axis with subdivided branches” describes. To contrast, a raceme is unbranched, with flowers on pedicels along a single main axis. A spike has flowers directly attached to the axis without pedicels. An umbel has all pedicels radiating from a single point at the top of the stalk, like an umbrella. The branched, multi-level structure of a panicle is why it’s the best fit for the described inflorescence.

Inflorescence structure with a main axis and subdivided branches is panicle. A panicle features a central flowering stalk that bears branches, and those branches carry flowers on their own pedicels, often with multiple levels of branching. This creates a branched, somewhat tree-like arrangement of flowers, which is exactly what “main axis with subdivided branches” describes.

To contrast, a raceme is unbranched, with flowers on pedicels along a single main axis. A spike has flowers directly attached to the axis without pedicels. An umbel has all pedicels radiating from a single point at the top of the stalk, like an umbrella. The branched, multi-level structure of a panicle is why it’s the best fit for the described inflorescence.