I am trying to construct a web-based plant key for laymen. I understand the structural/developmental difference between scorpioid & helicoid cymes but can anyone tell me if they are distinguishable readily in the hand & if so what characteristics can I look for to tell the difference? All the pictures I have seen look very similar.
HELLOO HELLoo Helloo helloo Hmm, I guess not a lot of folks check this forum very often. Does anyone have a suggestion of were else I might ask?? Oh wait if no one is here that won't work out to well . . .
Thanks for the suggestion. I looked at the link you found. I have also done a bunch of internet searches myself as well as reading a couple of books. The difference in development with alternate side vs. same side location of the pedicels is pretty clear. However when I look at pictures of the two I can't find consistent differences. Of course its possible that some of the pics I have looked at are misslabled but I think some times the flower stalks are so short and the angles so similar that is difficult to tell the difference. I haven't been able to look up close though. Maybe in some cases you can tell because of what side the bract is on but is that always true?? Are bracts present in all plants with helicoid or scorpoid cymes?? If it wasn't winter here I would go check out some wildflowers but I am hoping that someone has already encountered this issue in the field and can fill me in.
