Question

Select multiple answers for the question: In cymose inflorescence, the main axis -
(a) Bears a solitary flower
(b) Has limited growth but lateral branches end in flowers
(c) Terminates in a flower
(d) Has unlimited growth

Answer 1

Hint: The cymose inflorescence is a definite or determinate inflorescence characterized by the presence of a flower at the apex of the floral axis. The structure is flat-topped, and the petals are arranged in basipetal fashion.

Complete answer:
- The cymose inflorescence is a form of definite or determinate inflorescence that shows the presence of a flower at the apex of the floral axis. The main axis shows limited growth due to the growth of the lateral axis terminating into a flower.
- Here, the flowers are arranged in basipetal fashion. The oldest flower is at the most terminal position and the younger flowers are on the lower sides.
- The peduncle shows multimodal growth and the first flower grows at the tip of the peduncle.

Additional Information:
- Cymose is a definite inflorescence where the flowers bloom at long intervals while racemose is an indefinite inflorescence where the flowers bloom at shorter intervals.
- The four types of the cymose inflorescence are monochasial cyme, dichasial cyme, polychasial cyme, and cymose capitulum.
- Examples of plants with cymose inflorescence are Solanum nigrum, Calotropis procera, etc.
So, the correct answer is ‘(b) Has limited growth but lateral branches end in flowers’ and ‘Terminates in a flower’.

Note:
- Inflorescence is the group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem which consists of the main branch and an arrangement of branches in a pattern around it.
- The opposite of cymose inflorescence is racemose or indefinite inflorescence. The racemose inflorescence is where the flowers are in an acropetal arrangement, or where the youngest flower is present at the apex and the older ones are toward the base.