In cymose inflorescence, which statement is correct?

In cymose inflorescence, which statement is correct?

• A. The peduncle terminates in a flower
• B. Flowers are borne in a basipetal manner
• C. Unlimited growth
• D. Pedicel

Answer: (A)

Cymose inflorescences are determinate, meaning the main axis stops growing once a flower forms at the tip. The peduncle, which is the stalk carrying the whole inflorescence, ends in a flower. After that terminal flower appears, additional flowers develop from buds below along the axis. This terminal-ending feature is the defining trait, which is why the statement about the peduncle terminating in a flower is the best description. Other options miss that core point: the idea of unlimited growth contradicts the determinate nature; a pedicel is simply the stalk of an individual flower and doesn’t describe the inflorescence as a whole; and while flowering can proceed in a basipetal sequence (from top down), that pattern isn’t the defining structural characteristic used to identify cymose inflorescences.

Cymose inflorescences are determinate, meaning the main axis stops growing once a flower forms at the tip. The peduncle, which is the stalk carrying the whole inflorescence, ends in a flower. After that terminal flower appears, additional flowers develop from buds below along the axis. This terminal-ending feature is the defining trait, which is why the statement about the peduncle terminating in a flower is the best description.

Other options miss that core point: the idea of unlimited growth contradicts the determinate nature; a pedicel is simply the stalk of an individual flower and doesn’t describe the inflorescence as a whole; and while flowering can proceed in a basipetal sequence (from top down), that pattern isn’t the defining structural characteristic used to identify cymose inflorescences.