racemes

A raceme is a type of inflorescence in flowering plants characterized by a single, elongated axis (the peduncle) with multiple flowers attached by short stalks called pedicels. The flowers are arranged along the axis, typically with the oldest flowers at the base and newer ones forming toward the tip. This makes racemes an indeterminate inflorescence, capable of continuing to grow and produce flowers at the apex.

In distinguishing racemes from other inflorescence types, the main criterion is the absence of branching along the flowering axis. A panicle is a branched raceme, with flowers borne on secondary branches. A spike is unbranched as well, but the flowers are sessile (lacking pedicels) along the axis. Other forms, such as corymbs or umbels, have different patterns of flower arrangement and pedicel length.

Common examples of plants that produce racemes include Digitalis (foxglove), Delphinium, and Lupinus. In these species, flowers open in sequence along the stalk, often from the base upward, and the overall display can extend over a period as successive florets bloom. Racemes are widespread in wild and cultivated flora and are a key concept in plant morphology and horticulture, aiding in identifying species and understanding pollination strategies. The term derives from Latin racemus, meaning a cluster or bunch.