APIACEAE formerly the Umbelliferae

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APIACEAE(formerly the Umbelliferae)

• John Navazio
• Organic Seed Alliance

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Apiaceae family

• 250 Genera
• 2800 Species
• Relatively little research of cultivated spp.
• Cultivated spp. characterized by strong and
  unique flavor/aromatic compounds
• Many of these volatiles may have benefits as
  nutraceuticals/functional foods
• Carrots are currently best plant source of
  beta-carotene (pro-vitamin A)

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Apiaceae flowers

• All have a compound umbel (umbrella like)
  inflorescence
• Flowers occur in umbellets with pedicels that
  arise from an apex of an inflorescence
• Perfect flowers with a five lobed calyx with five
  petals and five stamens
• Inferior ovaries are two-celled, thereby
  producing two seeds

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Apiaceae seeds

• Primary or King umbel is produced at the
  terminus of the main floral stem
• Terminating the branches from the main stem are
  secondary umbels with continued growth of third
  and fourth order umbels
• Fruit is a schizocarp w 2 mericarps/seeds
• Seed often has ribs w spines or wings which have
  oil ducts and are removed

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Common Cultivated Apiaceae

• Apium graveolens celery, celeriac
• Coriandrum sativum cilantro, coriander
• Daucus carota carrot
• Foeniculum vulgare - fennel, Florence fennel
• Myrrhis odourata sweet cicely
• Pastinaca sativa parsnip
• Petroselinum cripum Hamburg parsley, flat leaf
  parsley, moss curled parsley

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Apiaceae root crops

• Root crops biennials require vernalization
• Apium graveolens celeriac
• Arracacia xanthorrhiza arracacha
• Chaerophyllum bulbosum - Turnip-rooted chervil
• Daucus carota carrot
• Pastinaca sativa parsnip
• Petroselinum cripum Hamburg parsley

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Apiaceae foliage crops

• Foliage crops used both fresh and as cooked
  potherbs
• Both leaves and petioles are prized
• Anethum graveolens - dill
• Apium graveolens celery
• Coriandrum sativum cilantro
• Foeniculum vulgare Florence fennel
• Levisticum officinale lovage
• Petroselinum cripum - parsley

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Apiaceae seed crops

• Volatiles or essential oils make these crops
  important as spices or medicines
• Anethum graveolens dill
• Carum carvi - caraway
• Coriandrum sativum coriander
• Cuminum cyminum cumin
• Foeniculum vulgare sweet fennel
• Myrrhis odourata sweet cicely
• Pimpinella anisum - anise