panícula

Panícula, in botany, refers to a type of inflorescence known as a panicle. It is a branched, compound inflorescence in which the main axis bears multiple secondary axes, and flowers are borne on pedicels. The overall presentation can range from loose and open to more compact, but the defining feature is the presence of branching beyond a simple stalk.

In morphology, a panicle consists of a primary axis that splits into branches, and those branches may themselves branch further. Each flower sits on a short stalk, or pedicel. This contrasts with a raceme, where flowers are attached directly along an unbranched axis, and with cymes, where the inflorescence is determinate. Because of its branching, a panicle often contains many flowers and can become quite elaborate in shape.

Panicles occur in various plant groups, notably in many grasses (family Poaceae), where panicle-like inflorescences are common in species such as rice (Oryza sativa) and oats (Avena sativa). They also appear in other families, for example Hydrangea paniculata, which is named for its large, showy panicle-type inflorescences. The size, degree of branching, and arrangement of flowers within a panicle can be useful characteristics for identifying species and understanding their flowering biology.

Overall, the panícula represents a widespread and versatile form of inflorescence characterized by branched, pedicellate flowers arranged on a compound axis.