Rice is one of the most important food crops in the world, and its flowering process is an important stage in the plant growth cycle. The flowers of rice are bisexual and have pistils and stamens, and are usually in a opposite state on the panicle. According to the flowering habits, the flowers of rice can be divided into the following types:
1.*Apical Flower**: The Apical Flower is a flower that grows directly on the top of the rice stalk, usually only one. This flower opens first and produces the first seeds. The apical flowers are the earliest to develop and can be used as an indicator of plant development process.
2.*Armpit Flowers**: Armpit flowers grow in the axils of rice stalk nodes and are usually in groups of two. These flowers open after the apical flowers, and several groups of axillary flowers can be formed at each rice node. The appearance of axillary flowers marks the transition from vegetative to reproductive growth in rice.
3.*Regenerative Flowers**: Regenerative flowers are flowers that regenerate at the base of rice stalks, usually appearing after rice stalk lodging or harvesting. These flowers are formed as a result of the basal cells of the rice stalk** and grow to produce seeds. The appearance of regenerative flowers can improve the yield and fecundity of rice.
In addition to the above three types, there are also some special flower types, such as concurrent flowers and mixed flowers. Parallel flowers are a special phenomenon of apical flowers and axillary flowers appearing at the same time on the same rice node;Mixed flowers refer to the appearance of different types of flowers on the same rice node at the same time, such as terminal flowers and axillary flowers or two axillary flowers.
During the flowering process of rice, different flower types will open in turn, forming different flowering times and sequences. These differences affect seed development and yield, so they are of great significance in rice breeding and cultivation. Understanding the flower type and flowering habits of rice can help to better understand its growth and reproduction mechanisms, and provide a theoretical basis for improving yield and quality.