raceme

[ rey-seem, ruh- ]

noun

, Botany.

1. a simple indeterminate inflorescence in which the flowers are borne on short pedicels lying along a common axis, as in the lily of the valley.
2. a compound inflorescence in which the short pedicels with single flowers of the simple raceme are replaced by racemes.

raceme

/ rəˈsiːm /

noun

1. an inflorescence in which the flowers are borne along the main stem, with the oldest flowers at the base. It can be simple, as in the foxglove, or compound See panicle

raceme

/ rə-sēm′ /

1. An indeterminate inflorescence in which each flower grows on its own stalk from a common stem. The lily of the valley and snapdragon have racemes.
2. See illustration at inflorescence

Other Words From

• ra·cemed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of raceme¹

First recorded in 1775–85, raceme is from the Latin word racēmus cluster of grapes, bunch of berries

Word History and Origins

Origin of raceme¹

C18: from Latin racēmus bunch of grapes

Example Sentences

The flowers are very small, almost sessile, and arranged in a one-sided, curved raceme.

From Project Gutenberg

Its rather large crimson flowers are on very short stalks in the axils of the upper leaves, forming together a leafy raceme.

From Project Gutenberg

The flowering stems each bear a dense cluster of dull pink or purple heads, forming a raceme from four inches to a foot in height.

From Project Gutenberg

Its stem is erect, without runners; and the blue flowers form a one-sided raceme without bracts.

From Project Gutenberg

The flowers are perfect, reddish green, in distant whorls, forming a terminal raceme which is leafless above.

From Project Gutenberg