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n. 1. A cluster of flowers arranged in a characteristic way on a stem. 2. The process of flowering. [New Latin īnflōrēscentia, from Late Latin īnflōrēscēns, īnflōrēscent-, present participle of īnflōrēscere, to begin to flower : Latin in-, intensive pref.; see IN-2 + Latin flōrēscere, to begin to blossom; see FLORESCENCE.] in′flo·rescent adj.  (click for a larger image) inflorescencetop left to right: umbel and corymb bottom left to right: panicle and raceme |
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