APIACEAE

CARROT FAMILY

Lincoln Constance

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.

BERULA

CUTLEAF WATER-PARSNIP

Species in genus: 1 sp
Etymology: (Latin: water-cress)

Native

B. erecta (Huds.) Coville

Perennial, < 15 dm, stoloned, glabrous
Stem ascending or erect, branched, hollow, rooting at lower nodes
Leaf: petiole 4–12 cm, narrowly sheathing; blade 1.5 dm, oblong, 1-pinnate, much-dissected if submersed, leaflets 7–12 pairs, 1–8 cm, oblong to ovate, sessile, serrate or lobed
Inflorescence: umbels compound, peduncled, terminal or opposite leaves; bracts, bractlets leaf-like, lanceolate; rays, pedicels ± unequal, spreading
Flower: calyx lobes minute, persistent; petals wide, white
Fruit 1.5–2 mm, nearly round, compressed side-to-side, glabrous; ribs thread-like, inconspicuous in corky fruit wall; oil tubes apparent but deeply embedded in fruit wall; fruit axis divided to base, its branches adhering to and falling with fruit-halves
Chromosomes: 2n=18
Ecology: Marshy areas, streams
Elevation: < 1800 m.
Bioregional distribution: California
Distribution outside California: Eurasia, Africa
Flowering time: Jul–Oct
Possibly TOXIC: implicated in some livestock poisonings.