Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia

Over 40 Years of Growing Gardens and Gardeners

Snow covered branches
Photo © Mary Free

Word Quiz of the Week

by Mary Free, Extension Master Gardener

glossary logo

Is the first flower to bloom on a cyme at the top or the bottom of the main axis?


Cymes are a type of inflorescence found in plants like Callicarpa americana, Mertensia virginica, Spigelia marilandica, and Viburnum prunifolium. They are determinate inflorescences which do not elongate indefinitely. Click here to learn more.

Viburnum prunifolium (black haw) cymes with syrphid fly in April.
Native Viburnum prunifolium (black haw) in April. Photo © Elaine Mills
Scorpiod cymes of native Mertensia virginica (Virginia bluebells) in April.
Native Mertensia virginica (Virginia bluebells) in April. Photo © Dina Lehmann-Kim
Helicoid cyme of southeastern U.S. native Spigelia marilandica
Spigelia marilandica (Indian pink) in June. Photo © Mary Free
Axillary cymes of native Callicarpa americana (American beauty-berry) in July.
Native Callicarpa americana (American beauty-berry) in July. Photo © Mary Free