centripetal inflorescence

Indeterminate \In`de*ter"mi*nate\, a. [L. indeterminatus.]
   Not determinate; not certain or fixed; indefinite; not
   precise; as, an indeterminate number of years. --Paley.
   [1913 Webster]

   {Indeterminate analysis} (Math.), that branch of analysis
      which has for its object the solution of indeterminate
      problems.

   {Indeterminate coefficients} (Math.), coefficients
      arbitrarily assumed for convenience of calculation, or to
      facilitate some artifice of analysis. Their values are
      subsequently determined.

   {Indeterminate equation} (Math.), an equation in which the
      unknown quantities admit of an infinite number of values,
      or sets of values. A group of equations is indeterminate
      when it contains more unknown quantities than there are
      equations.

   {Indeterminate inflorescence} (Bot.), a mode of inflorescence
      in which the flowers all arise from axillary buds, the
      terminal bud going on to grow and sometimes continuing the
      stem indefinitely; -- called also {acropetal
      inflorescence}, {botryose inflorescence}, {centripetal
      inflorescence}, and {indefinite inflorescence}. --Gray.

   {Indeterminate problem} (Math.), a problem which admits of an
      infinite number of solutions, or one in which there are
      fewer imposed conditions than there are unknown or
      required results.

   {Indeterminate quantity} (Math.), a quantity which has no
      fixed value, but which may be varied in accordance with
      any proposed condition.

   {Indeterminate series} (Math.), a series whose terms proceed
      by the powers of an indeterminate quantity, sometimes also
      with indeterminate exponents, or indeterminate
      coefficients. -- {In`de*ter"mi*nate*ly} adv. --
      {In`de*ter"mi*nate*ness}, n.
      [1913 Webster]
    

Inflorescence \In`flo*res"cence\, n. [L. inflorescens, p. pr. of
   inflorescere to begin to blossom; pref. in- in + florescere
   to begin to blossom: cf. F. inflorescence. See {Florescent}.]
   1. A flowering; the putting forth and unfolding of blossoms.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Bot.)
      (a) The mode of flowering, or the general arrangement and
          disposition of the flowers with reference to the axis,
          and to each other.
      (b) An axis on which all the buds are flower buds.
          [1913 Webster]

                Inflorescence affords an excellent
                characteristic mark in distinguishing the
                species of plants.                --Milne.
          [1913 Webster]

   {Centrifugal inflorescence}, determinate inflorescence.

   {Centripetal inflorescence}, indeterminate inflorescence. See
      under {Determinate}, and {Indeterminate}.
      [1913 Webster]