Apiaceae

From Free net encyclopedia

{{Taxobox | color = lightgreen | name = Carrot family | image = QALace2675.JPG | image_width = 240px | image_caption = Flower of Wild Carrot (Daucus carota) | regnum = Plantae | divisio = Magnoliophyta | classis = Magnoliopsida | ordo = Apiales | familia = Apiaceae (or Umbelliferae) | familia_authority = Lindl. | type_genus = Apium | type_genus_authority = L. | subdivision_ranks = Genera | subdivision = See text
Ref: Hortiplex 2003-11-14 }}

The Apiaceae or Umbelliferae (both names are allowed by the ICBN) are a family of usually aromatic plants with hollow stems, including parsley, carrot, and other relatives. It is a large family with about 300 genera and more than 3,000 species. The earlier name Umbelliferae derives from the inflorescence being in the form of a compound "umbel".

The small flowers are radially symmetrical with 5 small sepals, 5 petals and 5 stamens.

The family contains some highly toxic plants, such as hemlock, which was used to execute Socrates and also used to poison arrow tips. It also contains some highly useful plants, such as carrots, parsley, caraway, and fennel. Many plants in this family, such as wild carrot have estrogenic properties, and have been used as folk medicine for birth control. Most notable for this use is the extinct giant fennel, silphium.

The family is closely related to Araliaceae and the boundaries between these families remain unclear. Some recent systems include Araliaceae in an expanded Apiaceae but this has not been widely followed. Hydrocotyle and Trachymene, traditionally included in Apiaceae, are now generally included in Araliaceae.

Notable members include: