The inflorescence of sugarcane generally called the 'arrow' is an open panicle. The arrangement of the spikelets is racemose, that is, the oldest flowers are at the bottom and the youngest are at the top. The flowers open in succession over a number of days. Flowers have both male and female organs, but not all produce fertile pollen. Some of the varieties have fertile pollens but they are usually small and of low vitality. Sugarcane usually flowers at the age of ten to twelve months, but some varieties do not flower at all. Due to this fact, cane has so long been propagated vegetatively by cuttings of sugarcane. Cane produced from seed is not so vigorous, but it is important for breeders.
