1848 A TEXTBOOK OF THEORETICAL BOTANY 



Umbelliferae (Daucaceae) 



This is a very large and important family which is easily recognized 

 by the form of the inflorescence and the shape of the fruit. Many are of 

 economic importance and others are cultivated on account of their floral 

 beauty. Many are common British weeds. 



Among the well-known species we may mention Dauciis carota (Wild 

 Carrot), from which the various forms of cultivated carrots have been 

 produced; Carum petroselinum (Parsley), Carum carvi (Caraway), and 

 Coniiun maculatum (Hemlock). Other common types are Apiiitn graveolens 

 (Wild Celery), Oenanthe fistulosa (Water Dropwort), Crithrmim niaritimum 

 (Samphire), Aethusa cynapiiim (Fool's Parsley), Heracleum sphondylium 

 (Cow Parsley), Myrrhis odorata (Sweet Cicely), Conopodium denudatum 

 (Earthnut), Anthriscits syhestris (Hedge Parsley) and Caiicalis anthriscus 

 (Chervil). Other less common members of the family are Hydrocotyle 

 vulgaris (Marsh Pennywort), which occurs in wet places; Eryngium mariti- 

 mum (Sea Holly), which is found on sand and shingle, and Saniciila 

 eiiropaea (Wood Sanicle), which lives in calcareous woods. 



The plants are mostly herbs or occasionally shrubs, with green fistular 

 stems which are often ribbed and angled. The leaves are alternate, amplexi- 

 caul and often much divided. 



The inflorescence (Fig. 1752) is either an umbel or a compound 



Fig. 1752. — Hercicleum spliondyliiim. Hogweed. 

 Compound umbel seen from above. 



umbel. These compound umbels are sometimes cymose in character and a 

 terminal flower may occur, as in Dauciis carota. Occasionally, as in Eryngium, 

 the inflorescence may be a cymose head. 



The flowers (Fig. 1753) are usually hermaphrodite and regular, but 

 unisexual flowers may be found in some inflorescences and the outer flowers 

 of the umbel are often irregular and zygomorphic. 



