Category: Apiaceae

Carrot or Parsley family

Size

434 genera, 3700 species.

Distribution

Many species in the northern temperate zone.

Notable species:

• Hemlock (Conium maculatum)
• Hemlock water dropwort (Oenanthe crocata)
• Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
• Carrot (Daucus carrota)
• Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)
• Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
• Dill (Anethum graveolens)
• Coriander (Coriandum sativum)
• Cumin (Cuminium cyminum)
• Celery (Apium graveolens)
• Ground elder (Aegopodium podagraria)
• Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium)
• Cow parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris)
• Wild angelica (Angelica sylvestris)
• Pignut (Conopodium majus)
• Sea holly (Eryngium maritimum)
• Sweet cicely (Myhrris odorata)
• Alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum)
• Burnett-saxifrage (Pimpinella saxifraga)
• Rock samphire (Crithmum maritimum)
• and many, many more.

Key features

• Herbaceous.
• Aromatic.
• Many are edible.
• Some are very poisonous.
• Stems are often hollow.
• Most leaves are alternate, lobed, or pinnate.
• Petiole has a sheath sometimes.
• Flowers are in umbels.
• Dry seeds.