Araliaceae

Perennials that may be non-woody (herbaceous) or soft woody at the base, robust to small and delicate, and have flowers arranged in umbels; plants in this family vary widely in their structure and are closely related to the Carrot family, and it is challenging to find features that are consistent and unique among family members.

Flowers tiny, symmetrical in all directions (radially), arranged in one or more umbels or heads, these often secondarily clustered to form panicles, compound umbels, or corymb-like clusters. Flowers mostly on the same stem as the leaves, but on a separate stalk in Wild Sarsaparilla. Plants may produce both pollen and seeds, often in the same flower, or may not produce both. Sepals 5, separate, usually much reduced to a whorl of teeth around the ovary or almost absent. Petals 5, separate and adjacent throughout their length without overlapping, or fused toward their tips. Stamens 5, alternating with the petals, separate or fused toward their tips. Carpels 2 to 6, fused; ovary chambered, located below the point at which the other flower parts are attached (inferior); styles 2 to 5, separate to more or less fused, swollen at their base and more or less confluent with a nectary-disk.

Fruit mostly a round berry-like stone fruit with several pits, or sometimes achenes.

Leaves alternate (rarely opposite or whorled), often very large, simple to several times compound, mostly saw-toothed along margins in plants with compound leaves, only shallowly lobed in plants with simple leaves. If stalked, the stalk often broad or wrapped around the stem (sheathing) at its base. Stipules usually present.

Stems with or without bristles at the base, mostly upright, but creeping and rooting where the leaves are or have been attached in American Water-pennywort. Above ground stems often arising from long to stout rhizomes, or globe-like roots.

Plants often produce aromatic ethereal oils.