Question

Name the inflorescence in which the peduncle is extremely short and bears flowers of equal pedicel length
A. Corymb
B. Capitate
C. Catkin
D. Umbel

Answer 1

Hint: An inflorescence could be a group or cluster of flowers consisting of a main branch or a posh arrangement of branches arranged on a stem. Morphologically, where flowers are produced, it's modified as a part of the vascular plant shoot.

Complete answer:
- Corymb could be a botanical term for an inflorescence that produces flowers in such the simplest way that the outermost is born on longer pedicels than the inner one, bringing all flowers to an identical stage, e.g. Bonbon of Candytuft.
- If an oversized number of sessile flowers, leading to a more or less globose form, emerge from a suppressed rachis, a capital inflorescence is termed, e.g. Mimosa, Acacia, Albizzia.
- Catkin or Ament: A spike-like inflorescence of unisexual, apetalous flowers, often pendent and falling as a unit. This is often a typical inflorescence of willow (Salix), cottonwood (Populus), oak (Quercus).
- Umbel: The inflorescence grows from the identical point where the length of the flower stalks is more or less the same. A whorl of bracts forms the involucrum at the bottom of the stalk of flowers, e.g. Centella.

Hence the correct answer is “Corymb”.

Fig: Corymb inflorescence

Note: An inflorescence supplies nutrients to the developing flowers and fruits during flower and fruit development. They assist the fruits at fruit maturity before dispersal, and promote efficient dispersal of fruit and seeds. Inflorescences have played major roles in systematic and phylogenetic research from a structural point of view. They promote reproduction as functional units, and are primarily formed by natural selection.