Which statement correctly describes a Cymose Inflorescence?

Which statement correctly describes a Cymose Inflorescence?

• A. The main axis terminates in a flower
• B. The main axis continues to grow and bears flowers laterally
• C. The flower is arranged on a swollen receptacle
• D. The flower has both androecium and gynoecium

Answer: (A)

Cymose inflorescence is defined by determinate growth: the apex of the main axis ends in a flower, and after that terminal flower forms, subsequent flowers develop from below on the same axis. This means the main axis stops growing once the first flower appears, unlike other inflorescences where the axis keeps elongating and flowers are produced along its length. So the statement that the main axis terminates in a flower correctly captures how cymose inflorescences are built. The alternative idea—where the main axis continues to grow and bears flowers laterally—describes indeterminate (racemose) inflorescences, not cymose. The other options refer to floral structure or arrangement on the receptacle or to floral sexuality, which are not defining features of cymose inflorescences.

Cymose inflorescence is defined by determinate growth: the apex of the main axis ends in a flower, and after that terminal flower forms, subsequent flowers develop from below on the same axis. This means the main axis stops growing once the first flower appears, unlike other inflorescences where the axis keeps elongating and flowers are produced along its length.

So the statement that the main axis terminates in a flower correctly captures how cymose inflorescences are built. The alternative idea—where the main axis continues to grow and bears flowers laterally—describes indeterminate (racemose) inflorescences, not cymose. The other options refer to floral structure or arrangement on the receptacle or to floral sexuality, which are not defining features of cymose inflorescences.