Absolutely everyone will agree that the flower is the most beautiful part of any plant. It is not only glorified by poets and given by lovers - in nature, it performs the function of sexual reproduction, which requires the process of pollination by insects. But if the plant has small flowers, the bees may not notice them. This problem is easily solved - an inflorescence is formed. This is a collection of small flowers, which has its own laws.
Inflorescences of plants
Inflorescence is a rather complex structure. Flowers on the plant are arranged in a certain order, located on the same axis. By the nature of its branching, these structures are simple and complex.
Simple inflorescences
If small flowers are located on one unbranched axis, then in front of us are simple inflorescences. They have several varieties.
The inflorescence of the basket is represented by sessile flowers located on an extended axis, similar to a saucer. Chamomile, cornflower and aster are examples of such plants.
Currant and lily of the valley has an inflorescence brush, in which on the pedicels there are single flowers attached to the main axis.
The spike of plantain is a similar structure, but with sessile flowers without stalks. If the axis is significantly thickened, then it is already an ear, like corn.
An amazing instance is the calla flower. It seems to be a large single specimen. In fact, in front of us is a simple inflorescence of the cob.
Inflorescence umbrella have onions and garlic. The pedicels are really attached to one point on the top of the axis like the spokes of a real umbrella.
In most representatives of the family Rosaceae, the inflorescence is called the scab. Pedicels also come from one point, but have different lengths, so in the aggregate they are on the same level.
Complex inflorescences
If several simple inflorescences are located on the common axis, it is complex. They are quite widespread in nature. For example, an inflorescence basket in tansy or yarrow is connected to a shield.
A complex dill umbrella consists of several simple similar inflorescences collected on one axis. But panicles of lilac, oats and grapes are simple brushes located on the side branches of the main axis.
Biological significance
Inflorescence is primarily the adaptation of plants to pollination. Indeed, due to the fact that small flowers are gathered together, they more effectively attract insects to wind-pollinated plants. Inflorescences are also attracted by their unique aroma. Yes, and the stigmas of pestles in such plants are arranged in such a way that pollen is better caught by them even from the air.
Why do insects carry pollen from stamens on the stigma of the pestle, ensuring the fertilization process? They are just looking for the sweet and tasty nectar that is inside the flowers. Bees are able to process it into a useful treat - honey. But they pollinate only some plants. For example, buckwheat, linden or acacia. All of them have attractive and fragrant inflorescences. No wonder these social insects are called true workers. Just think about it, to get 1 g of honey, you need to pollinate up to 7 million flowers!
Bumblebees pollinate only clover heads. It is widely known that when this plant was brought to the Australian continent, it did not form seeds. For some time this was an unresolved issue until scientists brought in the necessary pollinating insects.
It is also important that a fruit is formed from absolutely every flower. Naturally, the number of seeds is also increasing, which is of great biological importance for the distribution of species.
Amazing near
But do not think that inflorescences are some kind of miniature natural formations. In the photo in front of you is agave. In its inflorescence, tens of thousands of flowers are collected. They bloom alternately from the bottom up, because the plant may not withstand such a severity at the same time.
An inflorescence is also a huge candle of the puya plant, which can be found in Peru. Her whisk reaches up to 10 m in height. To grow such a miracle, it must reach the age of 50 years with a total duration of 150. It is unfortunate, but after flowering and loss of seeds, the shoot of the mother plant dies. And you have to start all over again. And the giant's pollinators are also unusual - bats. Due to such vital features, the puya is now considered a rather rare specimen. And breeders are working hard to breed it in the botanical gardens.
Can you imagine flowers with a diameter of 0.1 mm? Difficult, really. But in the Australian duckweed, inflorescences consist precisely of such formations. They are considered the smallest on the planet.
Such miracles are found in nature. A group of flowers is able to prolong the existence of the entire species of plants. Moreover, most flowers are pollinated by insects. There is always a chance that some, especially single ones, will not be noticed by them. But in the inflorescence of such a problem does not exist.