Question

In candytuft, the inflorescence is-
A. Typical raceme
B. Corymb
C. Corymbose raceme
D. Umberi

Answer 1

Hint: The candytuft, whose botanical name is Iberis amara is a member of Brassicaceae or the mustard family, the brassicaceae family has raceme or corymb type of inflorescence.

Complete answer: The arrangement of clusters of flowers on a stem is called inflorescence. The stem on which the whole inflorescence is arranged is called a peduncle and the major axis holds the flowers or branches within the inflorescence. The stalk of the flower is called a pedicel. Solitary flowers are the flowers which are not a part of inflorescence and its stalk is also called peduncle. The flowers in an inflorescence are referred to as a floret, the individual flowers are small and form a tight cluster. Inflorescences may be simple, composite, umbel, spike or raceme.
Let us discuss the given options,
Typical raceme- an unbranched, indeterminate type of inflorescence bearing pedicellate flowers along its axis is called raceme.
Corymb- In this pedicels of the lower flowers are longer than those of the upper flowers forming a flat-topped appearance overall.
Corymbose raceme- The young flowers are similar to corymb but in mature state the longer pedicels of the lower flowers do not bring them to the level of upper ones.
Umberi or umbel- a number of short pedicels spread from a common point, forming a flat-topped to almost spherical structure.

Thus, the correct answer is- B. Corymb.

Note: The inflorescence can be determined by observing the morphology of the flowers. It is based on genetic basis and therefore is fixed for each species.