The key role of morphology in modelling inflorescence architecture.
Emerging evidence suggests that certain key genes control the branching patterns of flower-bearing axes (i.e. inflorescences) in angiosperms. However, the terminology surrounding inflorescence architecture is heavily typological and suffers from radically divergent definitions of terms that together reduce the value of some recent predictive models. We attempt to resolve the paradox of conflicting definitions of the same terms and clarify the assumptions surrounding this complex subject. We argue in favour of uniform terminology and against over-simplification. The valid conceptual platforms for modelling should be clearly defined and should adequately reflect observed structural diversity.
Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3DS, UK.
Gerhard
G
Prenner
Francisco
F
Vergara-Silva
Paula J
PJ
Rudall
D035264:Flowers; D008954:Models, Biological; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena