by Mary Free and Christa Watters, Extension Master Gardeners
A corymb is a flat-topped or convex inflorescence shaped by the varying heights of its flower stalks. Individual stalks grow upward from different levels on the rachis, with the outer/lower stalks being longer than the inner/upper stalks so that they all rise to approximately the same height. Flowers usually open from the periphery to the center.
Corymbs can be simple with unbranched stalks or compound with branched stalks forming smaller secondary corymbs. Sometimes, corymbs form secondary arrangements described as corymbose or corymbiform.
Click here to learn more about corymbs and to see more examples.
