| TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) |
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Jepson Interchange (more information) |
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©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
For up-to-date information about California vascular plants, visit the Jepson eFlora. |
AND IS MAINTAINED FOR ARCHIVAL PURPOSES ONLY |
Annual, biennial, perennial herb (rarely shrub, tree), often from taproot
Stem often ± scapose, generally ribbed, hollow
Leaves basal and generally some cauline, generally alternate; stipules generally 0; petiole base generally sheathing stem; blade generally much dissected, sometimes compound
Inflorescence: umbel or head, simple or compound, generally peduncled; bracts present (in involucres) or not; bractlets generally present (in involucels)
Flowers many, small, generally bisexual (or some staminate), generally radial (or outer bilateral); calyx 0 or lobes 5, small, atop ovary; petals 5, free, generally ovate or spoon-shaped, generally incurved at tips, generally ± ephemeral; stamens 5; pistil 1, ovary inferior, 2-chambered, generally with a ± conic, persistent projection or platform on top subtending 2 free styles
Fruit: 2 dry, 1-seeded halves that separate from each other but generally remain attached for some time to a central axis; ribs on each half 5, 2 marginal and 3 on back; oil tubes 1–several per interval between ribs
Genera in family: 300 genera, 3,000 species: ± worldwide, especially temp; many cultivated for food or spice (e.g., Carum, caraway; Daucus; Petroselinum); some highly toxic (e.g., Conium). Underground structures here called roots, but true nature remains problematic. Mature fruit generally critical in identification; shapes generally given in outline, followed by shape in X -section of 2 fruit halves together.
Species in genus: 1 sp
Etymology: (Latin: wild celery)
| Native |
Annual, 5–50 cm, taprooted
Stem much-branched throughout
Leaves mostly cauline, opposite or alternate; petiole 2–4 cm; blade 1–5 cm, round, finely ternately dissected, segments 5–25 mm, linear to oblong
Inflorescence: umbels compound, peduncled or not, from axils or opposite upper leaves; bracts, bractlets 0; rays 2–3, pedicels few, both unequal, spreading
Flower: calyx lobes 0; petals wide, white, tip acute, not incurved; projection atop ovary flat to barely conic
Fruit 1–1.5 mm, elliptic-cordate, compressed side-to-side, papillate-roughened to becoming glabrous; ribs thread-like; oil tubes per rib-interval 1; fruit axis divided to base
Seed: face concave
Chromosomes: 2n=22
Ecology: Chaparral, coastal scrub, etc.
Elevation: 0–1500 m.
Bioregional distribution: California Floristic Province
Distribution outside California: Baja California