Question

In Iberis amara and Alyssum, the inflorescence is
(a) Spike
(b) Raceme
(c) Corymb
(d) Catkin

Answer 1

Hint: The inflorescence of the plant is a bunch or group of flowers organized on a stem that is formed from a major branch or by an elaborate organization of branches. It is an evolved segment of the shoot in plants in which bare seeds and flowers are produced.

Complete answer:
In Iberis amara and Alyssum, the inflorescence is the raceme. An unbranched, undefined class of inflorescence carrying pedicellate flowers with small floral stalks known as the pedicels through its axis is known as a raceme. Racemes which are indeterminate inflorescences where the flowers that came first are near the base and the fresh flowers are formed as the shoot develops.

Additional information:
Spike: The unbranched, undefined inflorescence, close to raceme inflorescence but have sessile flowers that are bound directly and does not have stalks. Justicia adhatoda and prickly chaff flowers are common examples.

Catkin: Catkin also known as ament is very close to a spike or raceme inflorescence but with intermediate bracts so distinct as to cover the flowers till pollination occurs. Some common examples are willow, alder, and birch.
Corymb: Corymb is a type of inflorescence where the flowers are developed in a particular way that the outer ones are formed on the lengthy pedicels than the innermost ones, making all flowers come to the same level.
So, the correct answer is ‘Raceme’.

Note:
- The corymb inflorescence has a flat top that looks like an umbel and sometimes has a branching part which looks like a panicle. Corymb structure has flowers which are parallel, intermediate, flat, and convex sometimes.
- The raceme inflorescence is also known as a panicle that has branching on the main axis. Mustard and radish are some common examples that show raceme inflorescence.
- The name corymb is taken from the Greek language, where the word korymbos means "group of flowers or fruit"