FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS

FLOWER SPIKES

Flower spikes are a group of stalk-less (sessile) flowers that grow on an upright stem. The spike is categorized as a type of inflorescence, where the individual sessile flowers develop around a central flower stalk called the rachis. Flowers open from the bottom up.

RACEME

A Raceme is a flower spike where the flowers have stalks of equal length. The tip of the stem continues to grow and produce more flowers. Flowers open from the bottom up.

PANNICLE

A pannicle is a loose, irregularly branched, indeterminate flower cluster. This flower cluster opens from the bottom up. A Panicle is a branched raceme, each branch having a smaller raceme of flowers. The stem holding the entire arrangement is known as the Peduncle.

FLOWER HEAD

Is a cluster of flowers densely packed on a capitulum. Some flowers like those of the Asteraceae (sunflower family) have specialized flower heads. Ray & disc flowers make up the flower head. Individual flowers open from the outside in.

UMBEL

A flower umbel is a cluster of flowers with stalks of nearly equal length which spring from about the same point, like the ribs of an umbrella. Umbels can be compound. Flowers open from the outside in.

CORYMB

A Corymb is a flower cluster where all the flowers are at the same level, with flower stalks of different lengths, forming a flat-topped flower cluster. Superficially looks similar to an Umbel.

CYME

A Cyme is a group of flowers in which the end of each growing point produces a flower. The new growth comes from side shoots & the oldest flowers are at the top. Flowers bloom from the top down.

CATKIN

A catkin is a slim, cylindrical flower cluster, often lacking petals. They are usually wind pollinated but sometimes insects do the work. They contain many, usually unisexual flowers, arranged closely along a central stem which is often drooping. Flowers open from the bottom up.

VERTICILLASTER

A Verticillaster is a whorled inflorescence, where the flowers are born in rings at intervals up the stem. The tip continues to grow, producing more whorls. Flowers bloom from the inside out. This type of inflorescence is common in members of the Mint Family (Lamiaceae).

SINGLE FLOWERS

Sometimes, there is only one flower on each stem, or the flowers are borne so far apart that they cannot be described as being part of the same flowering cluster. They are often large flowers, so do not need the support of other flowers to attract pollinators.