Question
Question: What is the inflorescence of Cauliflower?...
What is the inflorescence of Cauliflower?
Solution
Inflorescence is a cluster of flowers on a branch or a system of branches. An inflorescence is categorized on the idea of the arrangement of flowers on a main axis (peduncle) and by the timing of its flowering (determinate and indeterminate). There are six major types of inflorescence in flowers. One of which is Compound inflorescence.
Complete answer:
The inflorescence of cauliflower is compound corymb. It's a kind of racemose inflorescence. The most axis is branched and every branch contains flowers within the corymb arrangement. All the flowers appear at an equivalent level. Here the most axis (peduncle) branches during a corymbose manner and every branch bears flowers arranged in corymbs.
Additional information:
Compound Inflorescence: In this type of inflorescence, the most axis (peduncle) branches repeatedly once or twice during a racemose or cymose manner. within the former case it becomes a compound raceme and within the latter case, it becomes a compound cymose inflorescence. The main types of the compound inflorescence are as follows:
Compound Raceme or Panicle: during this case, the raceme is branched, and therefore the branches bear flowers during a racemose manner.
Compound Umbel: Also referred to as umbel of umbels. The peduncle (main axis) here is brief and bears many branches which arise in an umbellate cluster. Each such branch bears a gaggle of flowers in an umbellate manner. Usually, a whorl of leafy bracts is found at the bottom of branches and also at the bases of flowers arranged in an umbellate way.
Compound Corymb: Also referred to as corymb of corymbs. Here the most axis (peduncle) branches during a corymbose manner and every branch bears flowers arranged in corymbs. Typical example-cauliflower.
Note:
The Function of inflorescence is to display the flowers for effective pollination and facilitate seed dispersal. The grouping of flowers in one place gives a far better attraction to the visiting pollinators and maximizes the energy of the plant. This also enhances cross pollination. It makes flowers more conspicuous (visible) to attract insects towards it.