Question

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding cymose inflorescence?
I. Growth of peduncle is indefinite
II. Flowers are borne in a basipetal succession
III. Cymose inflorescence is seen in jasmine
IV. Catkin is a cymose type inflorescence

Answer 1

Flowers are borne either singly or in clusters on the shoot. The arrangement of flowers on the floral axis is termed as inflorescence. There are 2 main types of inflorescence, they are racemose and cymose type.

Racemose inflorescence is a type of inflorescence where the main axis or the peduncle has unlimited growth or indeterminate and the flowers are borne in acropetal succession. Older flowers are present towards the base and younger flowers are present at the apex. Eg., Gulmohar.

The different types of racemose inflorescence are: Raceme, spike, catkin, spadix etc.

In cymose inflorescence, peduncle terminates into a flower. The peduncle has a limited growth and each time only one lateral branch is produced with limited growth. In this inflorescence flowers are borne in a basipetal succession ie., older flowers are present towards the apex and younger flowers are present at the base. Peduncle and the two lateral branches terminate with a flower. Eg., Jasmine has cymose inflorescence.

There are different types of cymose inflorescence. They are:
1. Solitary cyme -Only one flower is present on each axis. They may be terminal: Datura or axillary: Hibiscus
2. Monochasial cyme- Peduncle terminates into a flower. Each time only one lateral branch is produced which will also terminate with a flower.
3. Dichasial cyme- Peduncle terminates with a flower. Two lateral branches are produced which also terminate with a flower.
4. Polychasial cyme- Eg., Calotropis