CHAPTER XX
FLOWER-CLUSTERS
Origin of the Flower-cluster.—We have seen that
branches arise from the axils of leaves. Sometimes the
leaves may be reduced to bracts
and yet branches are borne in
their axils. Some of the branches
grow into long limbs; others become
short spurs; others bear flowers. In fact, a flower is itself
a specialized branch.
Flowers are usually borne near the top of the plant. Often they are produced in great numbers. It results, therefore, that flower branches usually stand close together, forming a cluster. The shape and arrangement of the flower-cluster differ with the kind of plant, since each plant has its own mode of branching.
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Fig. 211.—Terminal Flowers of the Whiteweed (in some places called ox-eye daisy).
Certain definite or well-marked types of flower-clusters have received names. Some of these names we shall discuss, but the flower-clusters that perfectly match the definitions are the exception rather than the rule. The determining of the
