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Lab Work 7
Lab Work 7
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
1. Why do flowers develop into clusters? Is there any taxonomic significance?
Souer, E.et al, (1998, February 15) defines an inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers
arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. It is
also the modified part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed. Inflorescence in some
flowers are brought about by the shift from the vegetative to reproductive phase of a flower involving
the development of an inflorescence meristem that generates floral meristems. This depends on which
meristems become flowers and which become shoots.
2. What advantage(s) if any, do flower clusters have over that of single flowers?
Flowers in clusters or termed as inflorescences are complex structures with many functions
which makes it advantageous than that of a single flower. It helps in the transfer of pollen and
optimization of the plant's reproductive success. During flower and fruit development they provide
nutrients to the developing flowers and fruits. At fruit maturity they support the fruits prior to
dispersal, and facilitate effective fruit and seed dispersal. From a structural point of view,
inflorescences have played important roles in systematic and phylogenetic studies. As functional units
they facilitate reproduction, and are largely shaped by natural selection. (Kirchoff, B. K., & Claßen-
Bockhoff, R.,2013)
3. Why do you think Linnaeus considered flower as the most reliable basis of plant
identification?
Linnaeus considered the flower as the most reliable basis of plant identification since it has
great variation which can be described in a systematic way to identify and distinguish species. Other
parts of a plant, specifically the vegetative aspect may have alterations due to climatic conditions,
geographical location, and various biotic and abiotic stresses. In these cases, the floral parts or the
floral formula can play a very important role in the correct identification of the species.
REFERENCES
Kirchoff, B. K., & Claßen-Bockhoff, R. (2013). Inflorescences: concepts, function, development and
evolution. Annals of botany, 112(8), 1471-6.
Souer, E.et al, (1998, February 15). Genetic control of branching pattern and floral identity during
Petunia inflorescence development. Retrieved February 27, 2019, from
http://dev.biologists.org/content/125/4/733