What type of inflorescence arrangement is characterized by branched flowering stalks?

The selected answer, panicle, is indeed the correct choice when identifying an inflorescence arrangement characterized by branched flowering stalks. A panicle is a type of compound raceme where the primary axis (the main stem) has multiple branching off of it, leading to clusters of flowers that form on these branches. This structure allows for a more complex and potentially more diverse display of flowers compared to simpler inflorescence types.

In contrast, a spike consists of flowers directly attached to a single, unbranched stem, presenting a linear arrangement. Similarly, a raceme has flowers that are attached to a single stem but does not branch out; instead, the flowers are arranged along its length, typically with older flowers blooming towards the base and newer ones at the top. Paniculate could also suggest a branched arrangement but is generally used to describe a specific configuration that is structurally distinct. Therefore, panicle is the most accurate term that specifically highlights the feature of being branched.