Umbelliferae

Umbelliferae or Apiaceae is a family of mostly aromatic flowering plants named after the type genus Apium and commonly known as the celery, carrot or parsley family, or simply as umbellifers. It is the 16th largest family of flowering plants, with more than 3,700 species in 434 genera including such well-known and economically important plants such as celery (Apium graveolens), carrot (Daucus carota), and parsley (Petroselinum crispum).

Description

Members of the Apiaceae are annual, biennial, or perennial plants. The leaves are of variable size and alternately arranged, or with the upper leaves becoming nearly opposite. The leaves may be petiolate or sessile. There are no stipules but the petioles are frequently sheathing and the leaves may be perfoliate. The leaf blade is usually pinnatifid, dissected, ternate or pinnate, or more rarely simple and entire.

Distribution and habitat

The Apiaceae family is distributed worldwide, but is most common in the temperate regions of the world. Many species are cultivated for their aromatic leaves and seeds, and are frequently used in cooking. Others are used in traditional medicine.

Taxonomy

The family Apiaceae includes a significant number of well-known plants of great economic and cultural importance, including carrot (Daucus carota), celery (Apium graveolens), parsley (Petroselinum crispum), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), cumin (Cuminum cyminum), dill (Anethum graveolens), and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare).

See also

• List of Apiaceae genera

External links

• The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Published on the Internet; http://www.theplantlist.org/

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