Illustration of inflorescence
- 1 raceme
- 2 corymb
- 3 umbel
- 4 compound umbel
- 5 capitulum
- 6 spike
- 7 compound spike
- 8 panicle
- 9 cyme
inflorescence
noun
in·flo·res·cence
ˌin-flə-ˈre-sᵊn(t)s 
1
a
: the mode of development and arrangement of flowers on an axis
b
: a floral axis with its appendages
also
: a flower cluster
2
: the budding and unfolding of blossoms : flowering
Examples of inflorescence in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These may have colorful foliage or attractive and long-lasting inflorescences.
—
Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025
Another inflorescence won’t occur for a while, adds Sprindis to the AP.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Jan. 2025
The structures that look like mushrooms are instead inflorescences, or a cluster of flowers intricately arranged on a stem.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Sep. 2023
Flowers with four petals are borne on terminal inflorescences and lack bracts.
—Elizabeth Waddington, Treehugger, 28 Aug. 2023
See All Example Sentences for inflorescence
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Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025
Another inflorescence won’t occur for a while, adds Sprindis to the AP.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Jan. 2025
The structures that look like mushrooms are instead inflorescences, or a cluster of flowers intricately arranged on a stem.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Sep. 2023
Flowers with four petals are borne on terminal inflorescences and lack bracts.
—Elizabeth Waddington, Treehugger, 28 Aug. 2023
See All Example Sentences for inflorescence
Cite this Entry
“Inflorescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inflorescence. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inflorescence
noun
in·flo·res·cence
ˌin-flə-ˈres-ᵊn(t)s
1
a
: the pattern of development and arrangement of flowers on a stalk
b
: a flowering stalk with all its parts
also
: a flower cluster or sometimes a flower that grows alone
2
: the forming and unfolding of blossoms
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