94
THE ESSEX NATURALIST
Some Interesting Notes on the Family
Umbelliferae
BY S. T. JERMYN
This article is a revised version of a talk I gave to the
Field Club in January, 1952. Space will not permit
reproduction of the key, of which everyone present received
a copy.
The Umbelliferous family forms one of the most natural
orders in the plant kingdom. The name is derived from the
Latin word umbel, meaning a sunshade. This apt term
gives the most obvious clue to identification of the family
as a whole. The inflorescence is formed by a number of
pedicels growing from the same point of the stem—radiating
out like the ribs of an umbrella.
In addition to the umbel formation, there is a general
similarity in the flowers and fruits of the family; this factor
makes the sub-divisions into genera and species more difficult
than in some of the other plant groups.
One of the most important points to remember when
taking plants for identification is to gather all the parts. Base
and stem leaves show variation in many species (e.g.,
Pimpinella Saxifraga). The flowers, though mostly white,
can be yellow (Peucedanum sativum), green (Archangelica),
blue (Eryngium) or pink (Pimpinella major). The identifi-
cation of the fruits of this family is possibly the most
important factor, which will be dealt with more fully later.
The plants in the main have pinnately dissected leaves of
variously shaped segments. Some are in pairs (Carum
segetum) or prickly, like Eryngium, and in Hydrocotyle
they are rounded and crenate. Some Bupleurums have nar-
row, almost grass-like leaves, and in Astrantia and Sanicula
they are palmate.
The leaf stalks are often sheathing and dilated at the
base (e.g., Smyrnium Olusatrum).