What is Apiaceae?

Apiaceae is a family of plants primarily consisting of herbs found in mild areas. Apiaceae is commonly referred to as the parsley family, consisting of 300-400 genera and approximately 3,000 species. Although most plants are used for vegetables and spices, some are used for ornamental purposes and several species are poisonous.

Although Apiaceae species are used in many different ways, they generally have a relatively uniform appearance. Most species have inflorescence or clustered branches of flowers that form an umbrella, called umbellate. The flowers are small and the fruit grows in two parts that are divided when they are ripe. Plants also often have hollow stems. The namesake of the family, Petržel, petroselinum crispum , originally originates from Europe and the Mediterranean, but can now be found around the world. It is often used as a decoration for dinners, especially in restaurants, and is located in many recipes. The parsley plant grows approximately 1 foot (0.3 m) high and consists of groups of small green leaves dottedCHL small yellow floral clusters.

, which are commonly used for spices, many plant seeds are ground or processed to create spices for filling packaged in food stores. Plants of the spices found in Apiaceae include cumin, anise, coriander, dill and trunks. Some of these plants have been used for spices for centuries. For example, cumin, kuminum cyminum is originally from the Mediterranean and was used as a spice and in ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece. Cumin fruit is approximately 10 inches (25 cm), with one seed inside each fruit.

Several species of Apiaceae are used for ornamental purposes, such blue lace flowers and sea holly. Flower of blue lace, trachymemen Caerulea , is an annual plan often occurs in gardens, green houses and arrangement of flowers. Color blue lace reaches a high 12-18 inches (30-45 cm), spilled clusters of lavender orabout the blue flower. This plant likes the sun or partial shadow.

One of the most famous poisonous plants is found in this family: Poison Hemlock, Conium Maculatum , a plant that poisoned the ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates. Poison Hemlock is originally from Europe, but is also found in the United States. These plants can be up to 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m) high and usually occur along the edges of roads, trails and fields. Its leaves are similar to carrots and flowers are white clusters in the well -known umbrella common to the family. This plant is the easiest way to distinguish its cremated scent and a light red spot dotting its stem.