Question

Inflorescence in a tree structure refers to

• A. Fragrance of the flower
• B. Depth of the root structure
• C. Flowering pattern
• D. Branching

Hint:

\textbf{Inflorescence:} The arrangement of flowers on a plant's floral axis. It is the mode of development and arrangement of flowers.
Describes how flowers are grouped or clustered – i.e., the \textbf{flowering pattern}.
Major types include racemose and cymose inflorescences, with many variations.
It is a botanical term applicable to trees as well as other flowering plants.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

In botany, an inflorescence is the arrangement of flowers on a floral axis (the part of the stem where flowers are formed). It refers to the complete flower head of a plant including stems, stalks, bracts, and flowers. The term describes how flowers are grouped or arranged on a plant. It's essentially the flowering pattern or the mode of flowering. Different types of inflorescences include:
Racemose types: Main axis continues to grow, flowers develop laterally in acropetal succession (oldest at base, youngest at top). Examples: raceme, spike, catkin, spadix, corymb, umbel, capitulum.
Cymose types: Main axis terminates in a flower, further growth by lateral branches which also terminate in flowers (basipetal succession - oldest flower at top or center). Examples: monochasial cyme, dichasial cyme, polychasial cyme.
Special types: Verticillaster, cyathium, hypanthodium. The inflorescence is a characteristic feature used in plant identification and classification. It applies to trees as well as other flowering plants. Let's evaluate the options:
(a) Fragrance of the flower: Fragrance is a characteristic of the flower itself (scent), not the arrangement of flowers.
(b) Depth of the root structure: This relates to the root system of the tree, not its flowers.
(c) Flowering pattern: This accurately describes what an inflorescence is – the pattern or arrangement of flowers on the plant.
(d) Branching: This refers to the pattern of branches on the stem (phyllotaxy or overall tree architecture), not specifically the flower arrangement. Therefore, inflorescence in a tree (or any flowering plant) structure refers to its flowering pattern. \[ \boxed{\text{Flowering pattern}} \]