Carrot family

Carrot Family (Apiaceae) is a large family of flowering plants, also known as the umbellifers. It includes some well-known and widely cultivated vegetables and herbs, such as carrots, parsley, celery, and coriander.

Overview

The Apiaceae family is characterized by its unique inflorescence, the umbel, which is a flat or slightly convex cluster of flowers. The family is large, with more than 3,700 species spread across 434 genera. The plants in this family are mostly herbaceous perennials, but there are also some annuals and biennials. They are found throughout the world, but are most common in the north temperate regions.

Characteristics

Plants in the Apiaceae family typically have hollow stems and aromatic qualities. The leaves are usually compound and arranged in a rosette at the base of the plant. The flowers are small and often white or yellow, arranged in an umbel. The fruit is a dry, two-part capsule known as a schizocarp.

Economic Importance

Many species in the Apiaceae family are economically important as food crops, herbs, and spices. The most well-known is the carrot (Daucus carota), but others include parsley (Petroselinum crispum), celery (Apium graveolens), and coriander (Coriandrum sativum). Some species, like the deadly hemlock (Conium maculatum), are poisonous and have been used historically as a means of execution.

Taxonomy

The Apiaceae family is part of the order Apiales, which also includes the families Araliaceae and Pittosporaceae. The family is divided into several subfamilies, including the Apioideae (which includes the carrot and its relatives) and the Hydrocotyloideae (which includes the water pennyworts).

See Also

• List of Apiaceae genera
• Umbel
• Schizocarp