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

Special Types of Inflorescences

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