inflorescence

American  

[in-flaw-res-uhns, -floh-, -fluh-] / ˌɪn flɔˈrɛs əns, -floʊ-, -flə- /

noun

1. a flowering or blossoming.

2. Botany.

   1. the arrangement of flowers on the axis.

   2. the flowering part of a plant.

   3. a flower cluster.

   4. flowers collectively.

---

inflorescence British  

/ ˌɪnflɔːˈrɛsəns /

noun

1. the part of a plant that consists of the flower-bearing stalks

2. the arrangement of the flowers on the stalks

3. the process of flowering; blossoming

---

inflorescence Scientific  

/ ĭn′flə-rĕs′əns /

1. A group of flowers growing from a common stem, often in a characteristic arrangement.

2. Also called flower cluster

---

Other Word Forms

• inflorescent adjective

Etymology

Origin of inflorescence

First recorded in 1750–60; from New Latin inflōrēscentia, from Late Latin inflōrēscent- (stem of inflōrēscēns present participle of inflōrēscere “to bloom ¹; ” in- ², flora, -escent, -ence

Example Sentences

A true titan with the largest inflorescence on Earth it radiates an intoxicating perfume that has been described as a blend of dead fish, rotting cabbage and garlic.

From Salon • May 27, 2025

Its big pink inflorescence can last half a year.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 22, 2023

Roadside weeds like wild mustard and Queen Anne’s lace, tendrils of palm inflorescence and carnivorous cobra lilies have all found a place in her work.

From New York Times • Nov. 18, 2020

Nevertheless, the advertisements for allergy medications are full of blooms that don’t cause allergies — a daisy reads better than a gramineous inflorescence.

From Washington Post • Sep. 5, 2017

Any sudden decrease of warmth would be very prejudicial to the progress of vegetation through the successive stages of foliation, inflorescence and fructification.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 7 "Horticulture" to "Hudson Bay" by Various

Related Words

• blossom
• herb
• perennial
• vine