Question

What do you understand by special types of inflorescence? Describe them with diagrams and examples.

Answer 1

There are four different types of special inflorescence found and are deflected from racemose and cymose inflorescence. These are:-

A)Hypanthodium:-It has a flask-shaped fleshy receptacle, a pore or ostiole lined by scales and a short canal bearing hair. The receptacle bears male flower ostiole, female flower towards the base and sterile flowers between the two.

Example-Ficus (Peepal, Banyan)

B)Coenanthium:-It has a saucer-shaped receptacle with upturned margin and bearing florets like hypanthodium.

Example:-Dorstenia.

C)Verticillaster:-It is the characteristic inflorescence of family Lamiaceae or Labiatae. Flowers are arranged in two opposite cymose groups on each node.

Example- Ocimum (Tulsi).

D)Cyathium:-It is the characteristic inflorescence of Euphorbia, in which a single female flower is present in the center and number of male flowers around it, inside a cup-shaped involucre.