Branching system with the main axis growing indefinitely at the apex, secondary shoots may develop below the growing point. Monopodial inflorescences are generally known as racemose, and include racemes, panicles and (by contraction of the rachis) the true umbel and the corymb; sympodial inflorescences are generally known as cymose and include the monochasium, the dichasium, cincinnus and false umbel.
With a main stem that grows indefinitely at the tip with the shoots formed laterally.
One that does not naturally form a clump of shoots growing from a creeping rhizome, for example the vandas (Clump-forming orchids such as cattleyas and cymbidiums are described as “sympodial”).
A plant has a monopodial growth habit if it continues apical growth of the same shoot indefinitely. In the orchids there is an obvious distinction between the monopodial habit and its main alternative, the sympodial habit, in which each shoot grows to a predetermined length (often terminating in an inflorescence) and new shoots branch from the base in succession. Vandas are monopodial, cattleyas sympodial.