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.