The Apiaceae is a variable family including 300 - 400 genera and at least 2500 species of annual herbs, shrubs and trees, many with thickened or tuberous roots and hollow stems with deeply-cut, compound leaves. The inflorescence is usually an umbel of tiny, perfect or polygamous flowers with five petals and five stamens. Flowers are most commonly white or in some cases cream or pink. Typically, the flowers have stalks of different lengths so that all flowers are at the same height, producing an umbel with a flat top or many smaller umbels forming a single flat flower-head. The umbrella shaped flowerheads gave the family the original name, Umbelliferae. The family Apiaceae is named after the type plant Apium (Celery).
Some members of the family are very poisonous e.g. Hemlock, Giant Hogweed; or contact with the sap photosensitizes the skin. Others produce aromatic essential oils. Commercially-important members include angelica, anise, carrot, celery, coriander, dill, fennel, parsnip and parsley. Only a few members of the Apiaceae have any degree of succulence.
The Apiaceae is closely related to the Araliaceae which are merged into the Apiaceae in some treatments.
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Families of Succulent Plants 
