UMBELLIFERAE
NB Synonym of Apiaceae is Umbelliferae. These names have been long used next to each other.
Morphological description
Aromatic herbs.
Leaves
Leaves alternate, usually divided and petiole with a sheath.
Inflorescence
Inflorescence simple or compound umbels.
Flowers
Flowers polygamous in simple or compound umbels, calyx with 5 teeth, petals 5, free, ovary inferior.
Fruit
Fruit flat, ribbed, topped by a disk and two curved styles.
Seed
Seed.
Different from: Araliaceae: woody, fruit rarely flat.
Distribution: The family worldwide. In Malesia 11 native genera, including : - Hydrocotyle (widespread), open places from lowland to high in the mountains; - Oreomyrrhis (circum-Pacific, South), alpines, often cushion forming; - Trachymene (Australia, Pacific, Malesia), mainly in the mountains; - and several introduced ones incl. Coriandrum and Daucus.
Notes: Several species of the family are useful for man. - Vegetables: Apium*, Daucus*, Eryngium foetidum*, Oenanthe, Petroselinum*. - Condiments: Carum*, Coriandrum*, Cuminum*, Foeniculum*. - Medicinal plants: Anethum, Centella, Pastinaca*, Pimpinella.
Literature: Buwalda, Fl. Males. I, 4 (1949) 113-140.
Spot characters (Van Balgooy): Umbelliferae 23, 50, 89, 92 - Eryngium 24, 76 - Hydrocotyle 51 - Oreomyrrhis 1 - Sanicula 95 - Trachymene 1.
Illustrations: Fig. 177. Centella asiatica (L.) Urban (Umbelliferae). Reproduced from C.A. Backer & D.F. van Slooten, Geillustreerd Handboek der Javaansche Theeonkruiden (1924) 185. Fig. 178. Trachymene novoguineensis (Domin) Buwalda (Umbelliferae). Reproduced from Flora Malesiana I, 4 (1949) 119, fig 2a.
Image in PhytoImages for Umbelliferae