Inflorescence MCQ - Practice Questions with Answers

The Inflorescence

• The flowers are arranged in some definite manner on the plant. 
• The mode of arrangement of flowers on a specialised branch on the top of the plant which bears flowers is called inflorescence.
• An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem.
• The stem holding the whole inflorescence is called the peduncle.
• The branch of peduncle holding the flowers is called the rachis.
• The stalk of each flower is called pedicel.

• The inflorescences can be described by the following characteristics:
• How the flowers are arranged on a peduncle
• Blooming order of the flowers
• How different clusters of flowers are grouped within it
• Any leaf associated with an inflorescence is called a bract.
• Bract is usually located at the node.
• Bracts are involved in the protection of young flowers and attraction of pollinators.
• According the presence or absence of bracts, the inflorescence can be 

1. Ebracteate - bracts are absent
2. Bracteate - bracts are present

Special Types of Inflorescences

Cyathium

• It is a characteristic inflorescence of the family Euphorbiaceae.
• It is a specialised modification of cymose inflorescence.
• The receptacle in highly compressed and convex shaped.
• A large achlamydeous (without sepals and petals), pedicellate, tricarpellary and syncarpous female flower is present in the centre.
• Numerous, achlamydeous, pedicellate, centrifugally arranged and scorpioid male flowers are present around the female flowers. 
• The whole inflorescence is surrounded by a whorls of five fused bracts called involucre.
   

Verticillaster:

• It is a specialised condensed dichasial cymose inflorescence.
• Two whorls of three to nine flowers are borne on in dichasial manner on either side of the node.
• The entire branch or axis is so small that the whole inflorescence looks like a new type.
• It is a feature of family Lamiaceae
• For example, Ocimum
   

Hypanthodium:

• In this inflorescence, the receptacle become pear-shaped and hollow.
• There is a hairy opening called ostiole present at the anterior end.
• Male flowers are borne towards the ostiole.
• Female flowers are borne towards the base.
• In between mae and female flowers there are sterile flowers. These are called gall flowers.
• For example, fig