inflorescence

[in-flaw-res-uh ns, -floh-, -fluh-] /ˌɪn flɔˈrɛs əns, -floʊ-, -flə-/
noun
1.
a flowering or blossoming.
2.
Botany.
  1. the arrangement of flowers on the axis.
  2. the flowering part of a plant.
  3. a flower cluster.
  4. flowers collectively.
Origin of inflorescence
1750-60; < New Latin inflōrēscentia < Late Latin inflōrēscent- (stem of inflōrēscēns present participle of inflōrēscere to bloom. See in-2, flora, -escent, -ence
Related forms
inflorescent, adjective
Examples from the web for inflorescence
  • These composites have an inflorescence within an inflorescence.
  • The inflorescence is the flowering part of the plant, and consists of a central shaft called a spadix.
  • Soft rush has a lateral inflorescence that appears to erupt from the side of the stem.
  • The developing inflorescence segments were totally enveloped in the foliage leaves.
British Dictionary definitions for inflorescence

inflorescence

/ˌɪnflɔːˈrɛsəns/
noun
1.
the part of a plant that consists of the flower-bearing stalks
2.
the arrangement of the flowers on the stalks
3.
the process of flowering; blossoming
Derived Forms
inflorescent, adjective
Word Origin
C16: from New Latin inflōrēscentia, from Late Latin inflōrescere to blossom, from flōrescere to bloom
Word Origin and History for inflorescence
n.

1760, from Modern Latin inflorescentia, from Late Latin inflorescentem (nominative inflorescens) "flowering," present participle of Latin inflorescere "to come to flower," from in- "in" (see in- (2)) + florescere "to begin to bloom" (see flourish).

inflorescence in Science
inflorescence
  (ĭn'flə-rěs'əns)   

A group of flowers growing from a common stem, often in a characteristic arrangement. Also called flower cluster.