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 CHAPTER XX

FLOWER-CLUSTERS

Origin of the Flower-cluster.—We have seen that branches arise from the axils of leaves. Sometimes the leaves may be reduced to bracts and yet branches are borne in their axils. Some of the branches grow into long limbs; others become short spurs; others bear flowers. In fact, a flower is itself a specialized branch.

Flowers are usually borne near the top of the plant. Often they are produced in great numbers. It results, therefore, that flower branches usually stand close together, forming a cluster. The shape and arrangement of the flower-cluster differ with the kind of plant, since each plant has its own mode of branching.

(in some places called ox-eye daisy).

Certain definite or well-marked types of flower-clusters have received names. Some of these names we shall discuss, but the flower-clusters that perfectly match the definitions are the exception rather than the rule. The determining of the