PO:0030132 cincinnus inflorescence

[BKKirchoff]

The current definition conflates the meaning of inflorescence with the meaning of cincinnus. The definition currently reads "An inflorescence (PO:0009049), with a sympodial growth habit, which at anthesis is composed of determinate inflorescence axes (PO:0020122) with pedicellate (PATO:0001438) flowers (PO:0009046), with the latest-developing flowers on the highest order inflorescence axis." But an inflorescence (PO:0009049) is defined as "A reproductive shoot system (PO:0025082) that has as parts all of the shoot axes (PO:0025029) and flowers (PO:0009046; must have two or more) distal to the most distal leaf (PO:0009025)."

The problem is that cincinnus inflorescences (cincinni) do not occur distal to the most distal leaf. They are axillary units (or, in rare cases, derived from such units).

This issue is part of a larger problem with all of the inflorescence terminology in the PO. The current terms do adequately cover the diversity of inflorescence structures in flowering plants. The terms are based on inflorescence structure in a few model species. They work for these species, but do not describe inflorescence structure in other plants. You need to get a plant morphologist who works on inflorescences to review and revise all of this terminology.

In the case of PO:0030132, the definition can be improved this way ""A portion of an inflorescence (PO:0009049, with a sympodial growth habit, which at anthesis is composed of determinate inflorescence axes (PO:0020122) with the latest-developing flowers (PO:0009046) on the highest order axis."

I took out "pedicellate" because not all of the flowers in cincinni have pedicles.

The words "a portion of" might better be replaced by "a part of" if this does not create additional problems.