: the mode of development and arrangement of flowers on an axis
b
: a floral axis with its appendages
also: a flower cluster
2
: the budding and unfolding of blossoms : flowering
Illustration of inflorescence
1 raceme
2 corymb
3 umbel
4 compound umbel
5 capitulum
6 spike
7 compound spike
8 panicle
9 cyme
Examples of inflorescence in a Sentence
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The floral inflorescences look interesting even after the color fades.—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 June 2025 There is a special kind of pride that comes with seeing a homegrown, burgeoning shrub with conical, foot-long inflorescences, each of which is composed of more than a hundred of tiny florets that are blanketed with nectar-seeking bees.—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 21 June 2025 These may have colorful foliage or attractive and long-lasting inflorescences.—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025 Another inflorescence won’t occur for a while, adds Sprindis to the AP.—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inflorescence
Word History
Etymology
New Latin inflorescentia, from Late Latin inflorescent-, inflorescens, present participle of inflorescere to begin to bloom, from Latin in- + florescere to begin to bloom — more at florescence
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