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Panicle

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Diagram of a panicle

Apanicleis a much-branchedinflorescence.[1]Some authors distinguish it from a compound spike inflorescence, by requiring that theflowers(andfruit) bepedicellate(having a single stem per flower). The branches of a panicle are oftenracemes.A panicle may have determinate or indeterminate growth.

This type of inflorescence is largely characteristic of grasses, such asoatandcrabgrass,[a]as well as other plants such aspistachioandmamoncillo.Botanists use the termpaniculatein two ways: "having a true panicle inflorescence"[b]as well as "having an inflorescence with the form but not necessarily the structure of a panicle".

Corymb

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Acorymbmay have a paniculate branching structure, with the lower flowers having longerpedicelsthan the upper, thus giving a flattish top superficially resembling anumbel.Many species in the subfamilyAmygdaloideae,such ashawthornsandrowans,produce their flowers in corymbs.

Sorbus glabrescenscorymb with fruit

See also

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  • Sheath grassbelongs to thegenusColeanthusin the sweet grass family
  • Thyrse,a branched inflorescence where the main axis has indeterminate growth, and the branches have determinate growth

Notes

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  1. ^Technically, the inflorescence unit in a grass is the spikelet, but the arrangement of spikelets may be described as a panicle.
  2. ^"In the form of a panicle"[1]

References

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  1. ^abHickey, M.; King, C. (2001).The Cambridge Illustrated Glossary of Botanical Terms.Cambridge University Press. p. 30.ISBN978-0521790802.A much-branched inflorescence.(softcoverISBN978-0521794015).