Apiaceae

Non-woody (herbaceous) plants that have umbels (clusters of small flowers on stalks all arising from a common point on the top of the stem), leaf stems forming a tube-like structure (sheath) that fully or partially wraps around the main stem, and secretory canals containing ethereal oils, resins, terpenes and other chemicals that often impart a strong smell; includes a number of vegetables (i.e. Carrot), herbs (i.e. Dill), woodland species (Sanicles, Sweet Cicely), a few highly toxic species (i.e. Giant Hogweed) and invasive species (i.e. Woodland Angelica). In NB, many of the species in this family were introduced from Europe.

Flowers symmetric in all directions (radially symmetrical). Petals 5, separate, sometimes absent. Sepals 5, separate, often very reduced and resembling small teeth. Stamens 5, alternate with petals. Carpels 2, fused; styles 2, often with a disk-like enlargement at the base that is confluent with a nectary disk located above the ovary; ovary below the point of attachment of the other flower parts (inferior) and with 2 chambers. Fruit dry, splitting into 2 achene-like structures, often strongly ribbed, sometimes winged or covered in prickles or protruding bumps (tubercles). Whorls of leaf-like bracts (involucre) often at the point of origin of the flower stalks.

Leaves alternate, often deeply dissected or compound, sometimes very large.

Stems often hollow between the nodes.