umbelliferæ

pl. [Mod. Lat., from Latin umbella, and fero =to bear.] [UMBEL.] Bot.: Umbellifers; the name given by Ju ieu in 1789, and still extensively in use, for a large and easily recognized order of plants, having their inflorescence in the form of an umbel. Lindley called them Apiaceæ, from the genus Apium, and placed the order under his Umbellal Alliance of Epigynous Exogens. The flowers, which are white, pink, yellow, or blue, are generally surrounded by an involucre. They have a superior calyx, either entire or five-toothed; five petals, five stamens, two styles, and a two-celled inferior ovary, with a solitary pendulous each cell. Fruit consisting of two carpels, separable from a common axis, which they adhere by their face. Each carpel is traversed by elevated ridges, of which five are primary and four secondary. The Umbelliferæ abound in temperate climates in the northern hemisphere, but are rare in the tropics. The vegetation of some-as hemlock, fool's parsley, and others-is poisonous, while that of the garden parsley is eaten. Similarly, the stem of the celery and the roots of land they are occasionally bound round the temples and the parsnip are wholesome articles to alleviate headache. U. thermal is grows in the hot springs of Gastein in a temperature of about 117° Fahr. U.compre a is eaten by the Sandwich Islanders.