capitulum An inflorescence that consists of closely packed flowers or florets which have no stalks and arise on a flattened axis, all at the same level. The capitulum is surrounded or subtended by an involucre of bracts giving it the appearance of a single flower. Capitula are typical of the Compositae.

capitulum (gnathosoma)
1. In goose barnacles (Lepadidae), the main part of the body, including the carapace, that is mounted on the peduncle.

2. In Chelicerata, the part of the body that carries the mouth-parts.

capitulum A type of flowering shoot (see racemose inflorescence) characteristic of plants of the family Compositae (Asteraceae), e.g. daisy and dandelion. The tip of the shoot is flattened and bears many small stalkless flowers (florets) surrounded by an involucre (ring) of bracts. This arrangement gives the appearance of a single flower.

capitulum (kă-pit-yoo-lŭm) n. the small rounded end of a bone that articulates with another bone. c. humeri (or capitellum) the round prominence at the elbow end of the humerus that articulates with the radius.