Q.Differentiate with diagramatic representation. Racemose and cymose inflorescence.

Step 1. Growth pattern. In a racemose inflorescence the apical bud of the peduncle stays active, so the axis keeps growing indefinitely; in a cymose inflorescence the apical meristem itself turns into a flower, so growth of that axis stops (is finite).

Step 2. Flower age/succession. Because the racemose axis keeps growing from the tip, the oldest flowers are always at the base and the youngest near the tip — acropetal succession. Because the cymose axis's tip has already become the oldest flower, younger flowers arise from side branches below it — basipetal succession.

Step 3. Order of opening. A racemose inflorescence opens centripetally (from the base of the axis upward/inward); a cymose inflorescence opens centrifugally (from the centre/apex outward). …

Contrast the two types on three linked points — growth limit, flower-age order, and opening direct …

• Mixing up acropetal/centripetal (racemose) with basipetal/centrifugal (cymose).
• Drawing/describing both diagrams the same way instead of showing racemose as an open …