inflorescence

[ in-flaw-res-uhns, -floh-, -fluh- ]

noun

1. a flowering or blossoming.
2. Botany.
   1. the arrangement of flowers on the axis.
   2. the flowering part of a plant.
   3. a flower cluster.
   4. flowers collectively.

inflorescence

/ ˌɪnflɔːˈrɛsəns /

noun

1. the part of a plant that consists of the flower-bearing stalks
2. the arrangement of the flowers on the stalks
3. the process of flowering; blossoming

inflorescence

/ ĭn′flə-rĕs′əns /

1. A group of flowers growing from a common stem, often in a characteristic arrangement.
2. Also called flower cluster

Derived Forms

• ˌinfloˈrescent, adjective

Other Words From

• inflo·rescent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inflorescence¹

First recorded in 1750–60; from New Latin inflōrēscentia, from Late Latin inflōrēscent- (stem of inflōrēscēns present participle of inflōrēscere “to bloom ¹; ” in- ², flora, -escent, -ence

Word History and Origins

Origin of inflorescence¹

C16: from New Latin inflōrēscentia, from Late Latin inflōrescere to blossom, from flōrescere to bloom

Example Sentences

"While this variation benefits wheat productivity by aligning pollination and grain development with more favourable environmental conditions, it also penalises yield by reducing the number of grain-bearing florets and spikelets that form on the wheat inflorescence," says Dr Scott Boden, a Future Fellow at the University of Adelaide's School of Agriculture, Food and Wine.

From Science Daily

Serendipitously, German researchers discovered a similar effect for the ALOG1 transcription factors in barley, which provides exciting clues to the evolution of unbranched inflorescences of wheat and barley inflorescence, relative to those of rice and corn which display more elaborate branching patters.

From Science Daily

"Nevertheless, excluding hornets resulted in seed production higher than expected. I think excluding the hornets allowed other visitors to gather on the flowers. Especially considering that I had previously observed hornets hunting and killing other insect visitors when they encountered each other on the inflorescence," Mochizuki explains.

From Science Daily

Its big pink inflorescence can last half a year.

From Seattle Times

Rob Moose’s violin mirrors Phoebe Bridgers’s nocturnal anxiety on “Wasted,” a song from Moose’s upcoming EP, “Inflorescence.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• blossom
• herb
• perennial
• vine