Inflorescence rachis

The flowers are arranged on an elongate central axis (rachis) or appear to arise from a single point. An inflorescence comprising a single flower is not elongate and flowers arising in clusters from the axils of leafy bracts (e.g. Cytisus) are similarly treated when the bracts are difficult to distinguish from leaves.

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Elongate

The central axis is elongate, with flowers (or groups of flowers) arising at intervals along its length (e.g. a raceme, spike, corymb or panicle).

Not elongate

The rachis is not visible, or very much reduced such that flowers appear to arise from a single point (e.g. an umbel or head).