THE SYNFLORESCENCE CONCEPT IN POACEAE

The term synflorescence has been used without a clear definition in Po nceae. and it has even been applied - without much precision - to stru ctures with different levels of complexity. The use of the synfloresce nce concept requires first, a typological characterization of the stru ctural plan of the whole plant, were the following zones can be recogn ized: main florescence, paracladial zone, inhibition zone, and innovat ion zone. In some cases it is difficult to define the lower limit of t he synflorescence because the basal tillers may develop and flower mor e or less sylleptically, but also function as innovation shoots. There fore in agrostology the term synflorescence may be applied to the main axis excluding the basal branches. The use of the term should be conf ined to general comparative discussions.