Part 118. The parsley family (Umbelliferae). Examples: carrot (Figs. 47-53), parsnip (Figs. 54, 55), celery (Figs. 78, 79), parsley (Fig. 138), caraway (Fig. 140), anise (Figs. 141 I, II), coriander (Figs. 143 I-III), asafetida (Fig. 168 I), water hemlock (Fig. 179), and poison hemlock (Figs. 180 I, II).

See pages 410-413 for formulas of Conium, Carum, Petroselinum, Cicuta, Coriandrum, Apium, Pimpernella, Pastinaca, Ferula, Daucus, and Umbelliferae.

The name Umbelliferae, meaning "umbrella-bearers," was given to this family because almost all the members have inflorescences resembling umbrellas. This form of inflorescence, called an umbel,1 may be likened to a raceme in which the internodes of the rachis are suppressed, thus bringing the bracts, when present, together as an involucre. In most of the parsley family, the inflorescence consists of a number of little umbels or umbellules,2 arranged in an umbel.

Usually all the flowers of a cluster are perfect. An interesting exception is found in the carrot (Daucus) where there is often a central flower destitute of essential organs. Such a flower is described as neutral.

1 Um'bel - L. umbella, diminutive of umbra, shade. I/.

2 Um'bel-lule - L. umbellula, diminutive of umbella. i/. Each umbellule may have a secondary involucre composed of secondary bracts which are symbolized by the B2 which comes after the B.

The sepals are commonly reduced to small tooth-like projections, or they may be so united into a narrow ring as to appear obliterated. The calyx-teeth do not touch in the bud; hence their aestivation is said to be open.3 More or less irregularity of calyx and corolla occurs among the outer flowers of an umbel, though most of the flowers are but little if at all irregular.

3 Expressed in the formulas by S".

The two-carpelled, inferior ovary ripens into a dry fruit which at maturity splits in halves, each half hanging from the top of a continuation of the torus, as shown in Fig. 141II. Such a fruit is called a cremocarp.4 It is like a schizocarp except that it is the product of an inferior ovary. Each half has several more or less pronounced ribs; and, in the wall, parallel to the ribs, are often tubular reservoirs of volatile oil giving a characteristic odor to the fruit.

4 Crem'o-carp - Gr. kremao, I hang; karpos, fruit. TC/ - -f- 2.

An odor similar to that of the fruit often pervades every part so that from an immature specimen or only a fragment it is often possible to recognize these plants by their peculiar, though indescribable, smell.

The stems have the rare characteristic of being hollow even at the nodes.

Herbs rich in volatile oil, but with watery sap; having leaves exstipulate; flowers regular or irregular, mostly in compound umbels, often involucrate; the petals and stamens five, the carpels two, styles distinct; and the fruit a cremocarp-such are the typical members of the family.

Part 119. The Parsley Order

Part 119. The parsley order (Umbellales or Umbelliflorae) includes two other families which agree with the parsley family in having mostly umbellate inflorescences of small, complete, epigynous flowers, with the petals and stamens distinct and alternate, and the carpels with but a single ovule in each.

For the formula of Umbellalles see pages 412, 413.