Saint Mary's University: School of Health and Natural Sciences

Saint Mary’s University
School of Health and Natural Sciences

BAYOMBONG, NUEVA VIZCAYA 3700
Ej R. Agsalda General Botany

BS BIO-1 BIO 5036
Laboratory Activity No. 9

“Inflorescence”
Abstract
This laboratory activity shows the different inflorescence of the different flower
samples that can be found within the vicinity of Cabrroguis, Quirino Province. The gathered
specimens are carefully analyzed and cleaned during and after the activity process. The main
objective of this laboratory activity is only to classify the inflorescence type of gathered flower
samples.
INTRODUCTION
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a
main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Barnett, L. et.al (2015).
Morphologically, it is the modified part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed.
The modifications can involve the length and the nature of the internodes and the phyllotaxis, as
well as variations in the proportions, compressions, swellings, adnations, connations and
reduction of main and secondary axes. One can also define an inflorescence as the reproductive
portion of a plant that bears a cluster of flowers in a specific pattern.
Inflorescences directly influence the reproductive success of a plant by presenting
flowers in space and time. They connect the vegetative stages in a plant's life cycle with the
flowers, providing the context in which effective pollen transfer and fruit set take place. Their
enormous phenotypic diversity raises questions about their functional and evolutionary
significance. Their production initiates reproductive growth, and requires extensive changes to
the vegetative meristem and to the underlying developmental program of the plant body. All of
these aspects of structure and function have been shaped, at least to some extent, by natural
selection. Kirchoff (2013).
Recent studies have continued the investigation of inflorescence structure and function
through a broad range of disciplines, including developmental genetics, computer simulation,
pollination ecology, experimental reproductive biology, phylogeny and evolutionary biology.
This Special Issue brings together 11 of these studies, covering some of the many existing
aspects of inflorescence biology. Two papers deal with inflorescence function, either in the form
of a literature survey (Harder and Prusinkiewicz, 2013), or as an experimental study of
inflorescence architecture (Reuther and Claßen-Bockhoff, 2013). Three researches explore the
conceptual framework in which we understand inflorescence structure and deal with questions of
terminology (Bull-Hereñu and Claßen-Bockhoff, 2013; Claßen-Bockhoff and Bull-Hereñu,
2013; Stützel and Trovuó, 2013). One of these papers introduces a new conceptual framework
for the classification of inflorescences based on meristem structure and development (Claßen-
Bockhoff and Bull-Hereñu, 2013). Four papers deal with structural and developmental aspects of
inflorescences in specific lineages (Bello et al., 2013; Prenner, 2013; Remizowa et al., 2013;
Weber, 2013), and one paper uses modern statistical techniques to investigate character evolution
in grass inflorescences (Reinheimer et al., 2013). The final paper deals with the genetic control
of inflorescence form (Liu et al., 2013).
MATERIALS
Materials Quantity Cost
Mask 1 -
Phone/Camera 1 -
Table 1. List of Materials
Table 2. List of Gathered specimens

Plants
Common Names Scientific Name
Banana poka Passiflora mollissima
Round-Headed Leek Allium sp.
Big leaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
Black elder Sambucus
Fragrant orchid Gymnadenia conopsea
Granny's bonnet Aquilegia alpina
Tulips Tulip asp.
Tomato Solanum lycopersium
Bird plant Strelitzia
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 3. Indeterminate Flowers
Scientific Type of Actual image Reference
Name indetermi
nate
flower
Passiflora Raceme
mollissima
Allium sp. Umbel
Hydrangea Panicle
macrophyll
a
Sambucus Corymb
Gymnadeni Spike
a conopsea
Table 4. Determinate Flowers

Scientific Type of Actual image Reference
Name determin
ate flower
Aquilegia Dichasial
alpina cyme
Tulip asp. Simple

cyme
Solanum Helicoid
lycopersium cyme
Strelitzia Cincinnus
GENERALIZATION
Through this activity, I learned the different types of inflorescence between flowers.
Inflorescences are complex structures with many functions. At anthesis they present the flowers
in ways that allow for the transfer of pollen and optimization of the plant's reproductive success.
During flower and fruit development they provide nutrients to the developing flowers and fruits.
At fruit maturity they support the fruits prior to dispersal, and facilitate effective fruit and seed
dispersal. From a structural point of view, inflorescences have played important roles in
systematic and phylogenetic studies. As functional units they facilitate reproduction, and are
largely shaped by natural selection. Inflorescence is the arrangement of flowers on the stem of a
plant. It provides the chance of cross-pollination. It makes flowers more conspicuous to attract
insects towards it. Large inflorescence enhances the chance of wind pollution. Insects are the
pollinators. Due to the aroma emitted from the petals and the nectar glands and colour of the
flower insects get attracted towards the flower. When an insect grazes through a flower to collect
nectar, pollen grains stick on its body from the anther. As the insect move to each flower, it
leaves a residue of pollen on the stigma and triggers the process of pollination. Some of these
pollinators are honeybees, bumblebees butterflies etc.
REFERENCE
Bello MA, Álvarez I, Torices R, Fuertes-Aguilar J. (2013) Floral development and evolution of
capitulum structure in Anacyclus (Anthemideae, Asteraceae).
Guertin, P., Barnett, L., Denny, E.G., Schaffer, S.N. (2015). USA National Phenology Network
Botany Primer. USA-NPN Education and Engagement Series 2015-001
Harder LD, Prusinkiewicz P. (2013). The interplay between inflorescence development and
function as the crucible of architectural diversity.
Kirchoff 2013. Inflorescences: concepts, function, development and evolution.
Liu J, Franks RG, Feng CM, Liu X, Fu CX, Jenny Xiang QY (2013). Characterization of the
sequence and expression pattern of LFY homologues from dogwood species (Cornus) with
divergent inflorescence architectures.
Prenner G. (2013). Papilionoid inflorescences revisited (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae).
Reinheimer R, Vegetti AC, Rua GH. (2013) Macroevolution of panicoid inflorescences: a
history of contingency and order of trait acquisition
Remizowa MV, Rudall PJ, Choob VV, Sokoloff DD Ann Bot. (2013). Racemose inflorescences
of monocots: structural and morphogenetic interaction at the flower/inflorescence level.
Reuther K, Claßen-Bockhoff R. (2013). Andromonoecy and developmental plasticity in
Chaerophyllum bulbosum (Apiaceae-Apioideae).

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Saint Mary’s University

School of Health and Natural Sciences

Ej R. Agsalda General Botany

Laboratory Activity No. 9

Table 2. List of Gathered specimens

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Allium sp. Umbel

Table 4. Determinate Flowers

Tulip asp. Simple

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