442 



UMBELLIFER/E 



The ridges may be continuous simple raised lines or may 

 consist of lines of prickly, hairy, or knob-like projections. 



In the wall of the ovary are longitudinal canals termed vittce, 

 which most frequently are present in the substance of the furrows 

 between the primary ridges {v. Fig. 134), and when the fruit is 

 ripe can often be seen as dark brown or black lines on the peri- 

 carp wall. They contain secretions of volatile oils, balsams, and 

 gum-resins, which generally give to the fruit its peculiar odour 

 and taste; the characteristic taste of caraway, coriander, and 

 other similar fruits of the Umbelliferse is due to essential oils in 

 their vittae 



Fig. 134. — A^ Fruit of Wild Chervil iChczrophyllumsylvestre L.). 



B^ The same later, showing the manner of splitting, c carpophore ; in mericarps ; d 

 stylopodium. 



C, Transverse section oiA. x Commissure ; v vittae ; e endosperm of the seed. 



Z), Transverse section of the ovary of Fennel {Foeniculjtvl offtcinale All.), p Primary 

 ridges ; v vittas ; c commissure. 



The number and arrangement of the ridges and vittae are best 

 seen when the ovary is cut transversely. 



The fruit is a schizocarp which divides into two mericarps ; 

 each of the latter is a closed carpel containing a single endo- 

 spermous seed. When the fruit is ripe the mericarps separate 

 from each other and remain suspended on a thin, usually divided, 

 extension of the flower axis, termed the carpophore (c, B, 



Fig. 134)- 



The seed is endospermous and generally united with the inner 

 wall of the pericarp. The endosperm contains a considerable 

 proportion of oil and no starch. The embryo is small, embedded 



