Apium.] UMBELLIFERE, 205 
ovate or broader than long, slightly compressed laterally, con- 
stricted at the commissure. Carpels ovoid, with five prominent 
obtuse nearly equal ribs. Vittz 1 under each furrow and 2 on 
the commissural side. 
A genus of about 15 species, widely dispersed in most parts ofthe world. In 
addition to the single indigenous species, two others have become naturalised in 
New Zealand —the wild celery (A. graveolens, Linn.), which is very closely allied to 
A. prostratum, differing chiefly in the erect habit and thinner ribs to the carpels ; 
and A. leptophyllum, F. Muell., a common plant in many warm climates, and 
which can be recognised by the slender habit and ternately divided leaves with 
filiform segments. 
1. A. prostratum, Lab. Relat. i. 141.—Very variable in size 
and degree of stoutness. Root sometimes as thick as the thumb. 
Stems prostrate cr decumbent, more rarely suberect, sometimes 
rooting at the base, 6-24in. long or more, stout or slender, 
branched, grooved, quite glabrous. Leaves excessively variable, 
2-9 in. long, pinnate or 2-pinnate, sometimes trifoliolate ; leaflets 
sessile or petioled, 3-partite, the segments broad or narrow, cori- 
aceous or membranous, incised or again deeply lobed. Umbels 
sessile or very shortly pendunculate; rays 3-15, $-2in. long, each 
bearing a secondary umbel of rather small white flowers on slender 
pedicels 4in. long. Involucral bracts wanting. Fruit broadly 
ovoid, ;4,-;4 in. long; carpels with prominent almost corky ribs; 
vittea not very conspicuous.—P/. Nov. Hoil. i. 76, t. 103; Kirk, 
Students’ Fi. 196. A. australe, Thouars Fl. Trist. d Acugn. 43; 
Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 86; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 90; Benth. Fi. 
Austral. ii. 372. Petroselinum prostratum, D.C. Prodr. iv. 102; 
A. Rich. Fl. Now. Zel. 278; A. Cunn. Precur. n. 503. 
Var. a.—Stems usually stout. Leaves pinnate ; leaflets cut into numerous 
broad-obovate or obcuneate segments. 
Var. 6.—Stems usually stout. Leaves pinnate; leaflets cut into numerous 
narrow-linear or lanceolate acute segments.—Petroselinum prostratum, D.C. 
var. b, Hook. Ic. Plant. t. 305. 
Var. c, filiforme.— Stems slender, prostrate. Leaves usually 3-foliolate; 
leaflets petioled, variously lobed or cut.—A. filiforme, Hook. Ic. Plant. t. 819; 
Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel.i.87; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 90. Petroselinum filiforme, A. Rich. 
Fl. Nouv. Zel. 278; A. Cunn. Precwr. n. 504. 
Kermapec Is~anps, NorrH anpd SoutH IsnLanps, Stewart IsLanpD: 
Common throughout on the shores; the var. filiforme sometimes found inland 
as well. November—March. Also in Australia and Tasmania, Antarctic 
America, South Africa, and Tristan d’Acunha. 
The extreme forms of this variable plant are very dissimilar, but are con- 
nected by numerous intermediates. 
6. OREOMYRRHIS, Endl. 
Perennial herbs, tufted or more rarely diffusely branched, 
glabrous pubescent or villous. Leaves pinnately divided or de- 
compound. Umbels simple, solitary on a scape or peduncle; 
