Question

What is the inflorescence of barley?

Answer 1

Racemose inflorescence:

1. In racemose inflorescence, flowering occurs along the branches of the lateral axis.
2. As the floral axis keeps growing, there is an acropetal pattern.
3. Types of racemose inflorescence: Raceme, Spike, Spikelets (Raceme spikelet, panicle spikelet, spike spikelet), Catkin and Spadix.
4. Barley has the spike-spikelets type of inflorescence.

Spike-spikelets inflorescence:

1. The spikelets are sessile and the stems are not directly attached to the panicle or rachis (composite spike).
2. The floret has a flower surrounded by two bracts, an inner bract, and an outer lemma.
3. Barley often has spikelet tips.
4. Characteristically, those flowers are oriented towards spikelets, and each spikelet has one or more flowers.
5. In addition, spikelets are grouped into panicles or spikes.