Which term refers to the flowering that occurs after a specific period of darkness?

The term that refers to the flowering that occurs after a specific period of darkness is short-day flowering. This process involves plants that require longer periods of darkness than light to initiate flowering. In short-day plants, exposure to a longer duration of darkness triggers the necessary hormonal changes for the flowering process to commence.

In contrast, long-day flowering plants require a longer photoperiod, which is more daylight than darkness, to flower, making them dependent on longer day lengths. Vernalisation pertains to a process where flowering is induced by a prolonged period of cold temperatures, which is not directly related to darkness. Photoperiodism is a broader term that encompasses the effects of light and dark durations on plant development, including flowering, but does not specifically relate to the flowering triggered by darkness alone. Thus, the notion of short-day flowering fits the description of flowering after a specific period of darkness.