| Websters
Umbelliferae, group name, feminine plural of umbellifer bearing umbels
Date: 1718
Within the Apiales are 2 families, Apiaceae (Umbelliferae), with about 3,000 species, and Araliaceae, with about 700 species. The plants have compound or cleft leaves and an inferior ovary. The common arrangement of the flowers is into umbels and compound umbels, although other inflorescences are known. Members of the Apiaceae have odours that are uncharacteristic of other families. Among the species cultivated for food or spice are Anethum graveolens (dill), Apium graveolens ([celery), Carum carvi (caraway), Coriandrum sativum (coriander, or cilantro), Daucus carota (carrot), Petroselinum crispum (parsley), and Pastinaca sativa (parsnip). Other members are poisonous, including Cicuta and Conium (hemlock). Within the Araliaceae are Schefflera, Polyscias, Hedera helix (English ivy), Oplopanax horridus (devil's club), and Panax ginseng (ginseng). The order dates to between 60 and 70 million years ago.
|
