UMBELLIFEILE. 187 



23. UMBELLIFER^E. 



Calyx entire or 5 -toothed, sometimes obsolete. Disk 

 fleshy and epigynous. Petals 5, exserted from the 

 outer edge of the disk, often very much inflexed at the 

 point, generally imbricate in aestivation. Stamens 5, 

 alternate with the petals, incurved in aestivation ; anthers 

 two-celled, dehiscing longitudinally. Ovarium inferior, 

 crowned by the disk, two- celled, or rarely by abortion 

 one-celled ; ovules solitary. Fruit of two carpels, with 

 a central columella, adhering to it by their faces when 

 young, but separating at maturity. Each carpel is tra- 

 versed by longitudinal ridges, five of which are primary 

 ridges, and the four alternating ones secondary ; and in 

 the channels between the ridges are often vittte, or recep- 

 tacles for oil. Seeds solitary and pendulous, usually inse- 

 parable from the pericarp. Embryo minute, albumen 

 plentiful and horny, the radicle towards the hilum. 



Herbaceous, with fistula and furrowed stems, mostly 

 compound alternate leaves, sheathing at their base. 

 Inflorescence umbellate, often having general or partial 

 involucra. 



Geographical Relations. Though found within the 

 tropics, they belong more particularly to the colder parts 

 of the temperate zone. 



Properties. The leaves and stems of the members of 

 this tribe are often highly poisonous, and as a general 

 rule to be always avoided when uncultivated, narcotic 

 and acrid powers residing in them ; the Fruit is innocu- 

 ous ; often stimulating from the essential oil it contains. 



Officinal Plants. 



Anethum graveolens. 

 Carum carui. 



