lacecaplike

Lacecaplike is a descriptive term used in botany and horticulture to characterize a floral inflorescence that resembles the lacecap form seen in some hydrangeas. In lacecaplike heads, a ring or crown of larger sterile florets surrounds a central cluster of small, fertile flowers, producing an open, lace-like appearance.

Although the term originates from hydrangeas, lacecaplike inflorescences occur in other genera as well, including Viburnum plicatum (doublefile viburnum), where outer florets are large and sterile and the center contains fertile ones. The form is used to describe both wild plants and cultivated varieties; it is not a taxonomic category.

Morphology and variation: Outer florets are typically petaloid and showy but sterile, while the central flowers are smaller and capable of producing seeds. This arrangement contrasts with mophead forms, which present a dense, ball- or dome-shaped head of largely fertile flowers.

Notable examples: Hydrangea macrophylla lacecap cultivars, such as 'Mariesii', exhibit this pattern, as do some viburnums and other species that display lacecap-like heads under favorable conditions. The term is primarily descriptive, reflecting morphology rather than a strict taxonomic grouping.

In horticultural contexts, lacecaplike inflorescences are valued for their delicate, airy bloom appearance and for providing contrast against more solid, mophead-type displays. The form can influence aesthetic considerations in garden design and landscape planting.