Includes the common herbs anise, carrot, celery, coriander, dill, fennel, parsley, and parsnip, as well as the highly toxic hemlocks. 29459 Family Apiaceae characterised by alternate leaves, widening at the base into a sheath that clasps the stem. Stems often furrowed.
Flowers usually compound, almost always concentrated in flat-topped umbels.
Flowers have 5 petals, usually uneven, and 5 stamens. Seeds and fruit form below where the petals and stamen originate. Some part of the plant usually has a strong aroma, due primarily to various oils produced by the plant. Uppermost leaves much smaller, with few if any subdivisions, and bearing small bulblets in leaf axils. Stem slender, not thickened at the base.