Question

What is an example of racemose inflorescence?
(a)Clerodendron
(b)Hibiscus
(c)Jasmine
(d)Caesalpinia

Answer 1

Hint: In racemose inflorescence, the main axis continues to grow indefinitely and does not terminate in flower. The oldest flowers are found at the base and the youngest towards the top. This type of inflorescence is found in the flowering plants of the pea family.

Complete answer:
Caesalpinia is an example of racemose inflorescence. In a flowering plant, a cluster of flowers on its branches is called an inflorescence. Caesalpinia is a shrub with a length of nearly 3 m. These plants are more sensitive to cold than others. There are different inflorescence types based on the arrangement of flowers on the stem or its central axis. Based on this arrangement of flower, they are classified as indeterminate and determinate.
The racemose inflorescence is of different types such as raceme, panicle, spike, spadix, etc. eg: Delphinium, Brassica Campestris, caesalpinia.

Additional Information:
The other characteristics of the racemose inflorescence are-
-The peduncle seldom terminates in a flower.
-The peduncle is monopodial.
-The first formed flowers are found at the base of the peduncle.
-Newly formed fruits are not guarded by flowers.
-Grouping of flowers is less common.
In cymose inflorescence the main axis has limited growth, being terminated by the formation of a flower. Thus, the oldest flower is either in the center or flowers of different ages are mixed up. These are of various types such as monochasial, dichasial, polychasial, etc. eg: Allium, Clerodendron, Hibiscus, and Jasmine.
So, the correct option is ‘Caesalpinia’.

Note: In determinate inflorescence, the budding flowers are either outside a truncated axis or at the bottom of an elongated axis. Therefore, In determinate inflorescence, flowers start maturing from the top down or inside out, however, in indeterminate inflorescence they mature from bottom to top or outside in.