Umbellifers (Apiaceae)

The umbellifers contain about 3000 mostly herbaceous plants, many of them populating the temperate zones (about 100 species in central europe).

Due to the high contents of essential oils, many umbellifers are used as spices or medical plants (for example coriander (Coriandrum sativum), caraway (Carum carvi), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), anise (Pimpinella anisum), parsley (Petroselinum crispum), dill (Anethum graveolens)). Carrots (Daucus carota) and celery (Apium graveolens) belong to the umbellifers as well. The figure shows flowers of spignel (Meum athamanticum).