a cymose inflorescence characterized by the presence of a single apical flower on the main axis; below the flower, on the lateral axis (which grows higher than the main one), develops another flower, which blossoms later. In a simple monochasium, as seen in some Ranunculus, a single lateral axis (second-order axis) departs from the main axis; in a compound monochasium, such as in forget-me-nots, there are third-order and fourth-order axes. The bostryx and drepanium are types of monochasia.