UMBELLIFERAE 
598 
identify one of the U. The shape is often important; the outer 
surface of each mericarp has generally 5 projecting primary ridges , 
two of which (the lateral ridges) are at the edges where the splitting 
takes place. Between these are sometimes found secondary ridges , 4 
to each mericarp. In the furrows there are often found oil-cavities 
(seen as small openings in cross-section) known as vittae . The seed 
is often united to the pericarp ; it is albuminous with a small embryo 
in the oily endosperm, which is usually cartilaginous in texture. The 
shape of the endosperm as seen in cross-section is another character of 
importance ; it may be crescentic, or ventrally grooved, or concave 
on the ventral side. The fruits often show adaptations for distribu- 
tion ; in many genera (e.g. Heracleum and its allies) the mericarp is 
thin and flat, suited to wind-carriage ; in others (e.g, Daucus) it is 
provided with hooks. See also Scandix. 
Many U. are economically useful, but as a rule they are poisonous 
plants. See Daucus (carrot), Pastinaca (parsnip), Apium (celery), 
Crithmum (samphire), Foeniculum, Archangelica, Carum, Ferula^ 
Pimpinella, Coriandrum, Petroselinum, &c. 
Classification and chief genera : 
A. HETEROSCIADIEAE (simple or irregularly compound 
umbels; no vittae). 
1. Hydrocotyleae (fruit compressed laterally, or constricted at the 
narrow surface of junction) : Ilydrocotyle, Azorella. 
2. Mulineae (fruit with narrow surface of junction; mericarps 
sharp-angled at edge or almost winged) : Bowlesia. 
3. Saniculeae (fruit with broad surface of junction, almost cylin- 
drical or antero-posteriorly compressed) : Eryngium, As- 
trantia, Sanicula. 
B. HAPLOZYGIEAE (umbels usually compound; furrows of 
fruit usually with vittae ; primary ridges only). 
4. Echinophoreae (umbel with 1 sessile ? flr. in the centre, whose 
fruit is enclosed by the hardened stalks of the d firs. ; 1 cpl. 
sterile) : Echinophora. 
5. Ammineae (fruit laterally compressed, or constricted or grooved 
at both sides of surface of junction) : Conium, Bupleurum, 
Apium, Cicuta, Ammi, Carum, Sium, Pimpinella, Cono- 
podium, Myrrhis, Chaerophyllum, Anthriscus. 
6. Seselineae (fruit cylindrical or antero-posteriorly compressed, 
with broad surface of junction, the lateral ridges distinct 
or united to form a nerve-like corky margin which is not 
winged): Seseli, Foeniculum, Crithmum, Oenanthe, Aethusa, 
Meum, Selinum, Levisticum, Angelica, Archangelica. 
7. Peucedaneae (fruit strongly compressed antero-posteriorly, the 
lateral ridges broadened into a wing or into a ridge which 
before separation of the mericarps is undivided): Ferula, 
Dorema, Peucedanum, Heracleum. 
