Plural of cyme; a type of flower cluster where the main stem ends in a single flower with side branches also ending in flowers.
From Greek kyma (wave or spray) used metaphorically for flowering sprays. The word metaphorically captures how flower clusters ripple outward like waves.
Botanists use 'cyme' vs. 'raceme' to describe flower arrangements, and once you see the difference (branching from the center outward vs. upward along a stem), you can't unsee it—it's like seeing constellations in the night sky!
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