Introduction to the Apiaceae Family

The Apiaceae family are a large, widespread family that is particularly common in northern temperate zones. It is well known for its many edible foods and herbs, including carrots, celery, parsley, dill, and many more. Most plants have a characteristic smell, like carrot, parsnip, and various herbs, and most possess small flowers in umbels, making the family fairly easy to spot in the field.

The Apiaceae are part of the Apiales order of core dicot flowering plants. The very closely related Araliaceae family has many overlapping characteristics. In general, though, Apiaceae are usually herbs that produce dry fruits that split into 2 segments when mature (schizocarps), while the Araliaceae are usually shrubs or trees and usually produce berry-like drupes (soft fruits with a pit inside, like a cherry).  

Beginner’s Guide to the Carrot (Apiaceae) Family

If you’re new to plant morphology, this guide is a great beginner’s description for learning to identify the Carrot or Apiaceae family, with no need to know any scientific jargon. For researchers or those wanting to learn a more in-depth version, check out the Scientific Botanical Description below.

Field Key Summary for the Carrot (Apiaceae) Family

• Most are herbaceous annuals, biennials, or perennials (some shrubs or trees); they are usually strongly aromatic.
• Stems are often hollow between nodes, typically grooved or ribbed (like celery), and frequently hairy.
• Leaves are alternately arranged, often with sheaths that wrap around the stem, and frequently compound, made of many smaller leaflets.
• Flowers are small, usually white or yellow (sometimes pink/purple), with 5 free petals; grouped into flat-topped clusters called umbels (resembling umbrella ribs). Outer flowers in the umbel may have larger outer petals.
• Flowers are bisexual with 5 free stamens, a single inferior ovary, and two styles that often have thickened bases (stylopodium).
• Small, dry “schizocarps” that split into two 1-seeded segments when mature; typically ribbed or winged.

Leaves and Stems of the Carrot Family

Most plants are strongly aromatic (pleasant or not) annual, biennial, or perennial herbs. Their stems are often hollow between the nodes and are typically grooved or ribbed like celery and are often covered with hairs. The leaves are arranged alternately on the stem and often have sheaths or wrap around it. The leaves are often compound, often doubly compound, made of many smaller leaflets, which are sometimes also made of smaller leaflets and are sometimes described as fern-like.

Flowers of the Carrot Family

Flowers are usually rather small but are most often grouped into large, characteristic flat-topped clusters called umbels, which resemble the ribs of an umbrella. Often, the umbels are each made of many smaller umbels, called umbellets, that hold the flowers. Each flower typically has five free white or yellow petals, or occasionally pink or purple. In some lineages, the flowers in the center of the cluster are often symmetrical, while those on the outer edge often have larger outer petals and smaller inner petals.

Reproductive Features of the Carrot Family

Flowers are bisexual, with both female (ovary, style, and stigma) and male (stamens) parts in the same flower. There are typically 5 free (unjoined) stamens, except in species with unisexual flowers (rare). There is a single inferior ovary (located below where the petals attach), with two styles (pollen-collecting tubes) on top that often have thickened bases (stylopodium).

Fruits of the Carrot Family

Fruits are almost always small dry “schizocarps” that split into two parts, each containing a single seed when mature. They are often ribbed or winged and have other characteristic features that help identify them at the subfamily/tribal level. Very rarely it is a berry-like fruit called a drupe.

Morphology of Apiaceae in North America

Here are some representative features to help you identify Apiaceae members you may see in North America.

Some of the Apiaceae Species Found in North America

Apioideae Subfamily—Oenantheae Tribe

Apioideae Subfamily—Scandiceae Tribe—Scandicinae Subtribe

Apioideae Subfamily—Scandiceae Tribe—Daucinae Subtribe

Apioideae Subfamily—Scandiceae Tribe—Torilidinae Subtribe

Apioideae Subfamily—Selineae Tribe—Arracaciinae Subtribe

Apioideae Subfamily—Tordylieae Tribe—Heracleinae Subtribe

Apioideae Subfamily—Conieae Tribe

Apioideae Subfamily—Coriandreae Tribe

Saniculoideae Subfamily—Saniculeae Tribe

Uses and Cautions of Apiaceae 

Many members of the Apiaceae family are used for culinary purposes, including Daucus (carrot), Pastinaca (parsnip), Apium (celery), Petroselinum (parsley), Pimpinella (anise), Carum (caraway), Anethum (dill), Anthriscus (chervil), Foeniculum (fennel), and Levisticum (lovage), to name some of the more common ones. Ornamental ones include Eryngium, Angelica, Heracleum, Trachymene, and others; however, many ornamentals have been modified with enlarged bracts or sepals and are not representative of the family.

Many Apiaceae are used in pollinator and beneficial insect borders in agricultural systems to sustain parasitoid wasps and predatory hoverflies that feed on crop pests.

Many Apiaceae are also used medicinally in folk, herbal, and Chinese medicines to treat a wide variety of ailments.

Still other Apiaceae members have notoriously poisonous resins or alkaloids, such as Cicuta, Conium (hemlocks), Aethusa (fool’s parsley), and others are phototoxic (Heracleum mantegazzianum). 

Ecosystem and Wildlife Values of the Carrot Family 

The exposed shallow nectaries of the Apiaceae are classic pollinator plants that serve as primary food sources for short-tongued insects, including solitary bees, hoverflies (Syrphidae), tachinid flies, and small beetles. The family is also a primary food source for specialist butterflies in the tribe Papilionini whose caterpillars have evolved to detoxify the family’s biological compounds.

In high-elevation and arctic ecosystems, the Apiaceae are often ecosystem engineers, stabilizing loose scree, mitigating soil temperatures, retaining moisture, and creating microhabitats for alpine flora and fauna to survive.

Mericarps that remain on dry inflorescences into late winter also provide essential grains for winter forage.

Taxonomy of the Apiaceae Family

There are about 3,820 species in 444-466 genera in the Apiaceae family, also often called the Umbelliferae after their characteristic umbels of flowers. They are part of the Apiales order, belonging to the Asterids within the core eudicots. The Apiaceae family is further divided into four main subfamilies below, as well as a few unplaced genera. This delineation is based on APG for the subfamily classifications and Downie et al. (2010) for the tribal classifications of Apioideae.

Note that Angelica (an Apioideae member) is being split so that the North American species may now/soon be considered Archangelica, while many Eurasian species have been moved to other groups as the genus is reduced by ~100 species, so I give the species numbers in a range, and the distribution data for the USA and Canada below still call it Angelica until I can get enough sources in agreement.

A. Mackinlayoideae Subfamily

The Mackinlayoideae are the most basal subfamily in the Aiaceae, which occurred in Australasia. They are made of annual herbs to shrubs with leaves that may or may not be pedately compound, palmate to simple, and stipulate. The fruit is sometimes drupaceous, but mostly it is still a schizocarp lacking vittae and possessing a woody endocarp, like that of Azorelloideae, although it is typically laterally compressed. They are widespread in Australasia, Malesia, South Africa, and Madagascar, with some in South America.

Genera of the Mackinlayoideae Subfamily

Actinotus (20), Apiopetalum (2), Brachyscias (1), Centella (55), Chlaenosciadium (1), Homalosciadium (1), Mackinlaya (5), Micropleura (2), Pentapeltis (2), Schoenolaena (1), Xanthosia (20).

B. Azorelloideae Subfamily

The Azorelloideae are the second major divergence in the Apiaceae, branching off in South America. They are made of annual herbs or small shrubs, often hummock-forming. Leaves are simple, trifid to palmately lobed, and possess a sheathing petiole with stipular margins or true stipules, separating them from the Apioideae. The fruits are also schizocarps that split into two 1-seeded mericarps, but they have a woody endocarp, lack the vittae seen in Apioideae, and often have prominent wings. They are mostly South American, particularly in the Patagonia region.

Genera of the Azorelloideae Subfamily

Asteriscium (9), Azorella (58), Bolax (2), Bowlesia (16), Dichosciadium (1), Dickinsia (1), Diposis (3), Diplaspis (3), Domeykoa (5), Drusa (1), Eremocharis (9), Gymnophyton (6), Homalocarpus (6), Oschatzia (2), Pozoa (2), Spananthe (2).

C. Apioideae Subfamily

The Apioideae is sister to the Saniculoideae, which both split off in South Africa, and the Apioideae went on to become the largest subfamily (~90% of all Apiaceae species). They are a diverse group of annual to perennial herbs or subshrubs or, rarely, a small tree. Leaves are usually pinnately divided or ternately compound, but occasionally they may be palmately divided or simple and entire. Inflorescences are almost universally compound umbels, but they are rarely reduced or capitate. Fruits are almost universally a dry schizocarp with two 1-seeded mericarps that may or may not be flattened, winged, or ribbed but almost always contain specialized oil ducts (vittae) in the mericarps. They have a cosmopolitan distribution. As a huge subfamily, they are further broken down into 30 tribes/clades, with numerous incertae sedis categories that will likely change in the near future as more molecular phylogenetic studies are carried out. For now, this is the most up-to-date information.

1. Lichtensteinieae Tribe

Lichtensteinieae is the most basal tribe of the Apiodeae, made of perennial herbs or subshrubs, often with woody rootstocks or tuberous taproots and stiff, erect stems. Leaves are variable—ranging from simple and linear to deeply dissected or reduced to petiolar phyllodes—often with stiff or somewhat leathery textures. Inflorescences are lax or compact compound umbels with white to yellowish, non-radiate flowers. The schizocarps are oblong to elliptic, somewhat dorsally or slightly laterally compressed, usually with 5 prominent filiform ribs, lacking wings, and with vittae mostly positioned in the furrows. They are native to Southern Africa.

Accepted Genera: Choritaenia (1), Nanobubon (3), Lichtensteinia (7).

2. Phlyctidocarpeae Tribe

Another basal lineage, this small tribe is monotypic, made of an annual herb with slender, erect branches and finely dissected, tripinnately compound leaves. Inflorescences are loose compound umbels with leafy bracts and minute, yellow flowers. Schizocarps are dorsally compressed and have a blistered-wrinkled pericarp surface, prominently winged lateral ribs, and lack a free carpophore. Internally, the mericarps have solitary vittae beneath each vallecula and along the commissure. They are native to Southwestern Africa.

Accepted Genera: Phlyctidocarpa (1).

3. Annesorhizeae Tribe

This final early-diverging tribe consists of perennial or biennial geophytic herbs that emerge from swollen, tuberous taproots or rootstocks and frequently flower prior to or with leaf emergence. Leaves are typically radical, pinnately or ternately divided, often with sheathing bases that form fibrous neck remnants around the crown. The inflorescences are loose to compact compound umbels with white, pinkish, or yellow flowers. Fruits are oblong to cylindrical, slightly dorsally compressed, with ribs varying from filiform to distinctly winged, containing one or more vittae per vallecular furrow. Native to southern Africa.

Accepted Genera: Annesorhiza (23), Chamarea (5), Ezosciadium (1), Glia (3), Itasina (1).

4. Heteromorpheae Tribe

The Heteromorpheae are woody shrubs or small trees, often with peeling bark, or sometimes semi-woody, perennial, and biennial herbs. Leaves are simple and entire to pinnately or palmately compound, often leathery with distinct venation. Inflorescences are terminal or lateral compound umbels of small, mostly yellowish, greenish, or cream-colored flowers. The fruits are slightly laterally to moderately dorsally compressed schizocarps, often dimorphic or heteromorphic within an umbel, with marginal or dorsal ribs ranging from thread-like to broadly winged and bearing solitary to multiple vittae in the furrows. Native to Sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, and the Arabian Peninsula.

Accepted Genera: Andriana (3), Anginon (12), Anisopoda (1), Billburttia (2), Dracosciadium (2), Heteromorpha (8), Normantha (1), Polemannia (3), Pseudocarum (2), Tana (1).

5. Bupleureae Tribe

Annual or perennial herbs, subshrubs, or rarely small woody shrubs with unusual vegetative characteristics within the Apioideae. The leaves are typically simple, entire, sessile or clasping (amplexicaul) and parallel-veined, often resembling monocots. Inflorescences are compound umbels usually subtended by prominent, leafy, and often brightly colored or petaloid involucral and involucellar bracts, with small yellow or greenish-yellow flowers. Fruits are oblong to nearly round, slightly laterally compressed schizocarps with prominent, slender, or wing-like ribs and 1–4 vittae per vallecular furrow (or vittae sometimes obscure). They are native and widespread across temperate Eurasia and North Africa, the Mediterranean basin, East Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa, with a single native species in North America.

Accepted Genera: Bupleurum (224), Hohenackeria (2), Neomuretia (2).

6. Pleurospermeae Tribe

Perennial or biennial herbs, often robust and tall, arising from thick taproots or fibrous rootstocks. Leaves are pinnately divided to ternately compound, with sheathing and often inflated leaf bases. Some plants may only flower once, while others flower multiple times in their lifetime. Inflorescences are large, conspicuous compound umbels usually subtended by well-developed, pinnatifid or white-margined involucral bracts and bracteoles, with white, yellowish, or purplish flowers. Mericarps are dorsally or laterally compressed, often with undulating or distinctly winged ribs with a spongy or vesicular exocarp, and contain solitary to multiple vittae in the valleculae. Native to high-elevation mountains of temperate to subtropical Asia, temperate Europe, and Siberia.

Accepted Genera: Aulacospermum (15), Chymsydia (2), Eleutherospermum (1), Eremodaucus (1), Ergocarpon (1), Haplosciadium (1), Hymenidium (40), Hymenolaena (3), Kafirnigania (1), Physospermopsis (8), Physospermum (2), Pleurospermopsis (2), Pleurospermum (9), Pseudotrachydium (5), Sivadasania (1), Trachydium (11).

7. Komarovieae Tribe

Perennial herbs, sometimes monocarpic, occasionally somewhat woody at the base, typically adapted to arid, rocky, or montane steppe habitats. Leaves are alternate, finely 1- to 3-pinnately or ternately divided into narrow, linear, or filiform segments with distinct sheathing bases. Inflorescences are lax compound umbels with few to several rays of small white, pale yellow, or purplish flowers. Schizocarps are oblong to elliptic, laterally compressed, with prominent, threadlike to slightly keeled ribs, lacking broad wings, and feature prominent solitary or paired vallecular vittae. Native to Central Asia and adjacent arid regions.

Accepted Genera: Calyptrosciadium (2), Cyclorhiza (4), Komaroviopsis (1-2), Mastigosciadium (1), Parasilaus (2), Sclerotiaria (1), Sphaerosciadium (1).

8. Oenantheae Tribe

Annual, biennial, or perennial herbs, typically associated with wetland, aquatic, or seasonally inundated environments, often having fibrous roots, tubers, or hollow stems with diaphragms. Leaves are extremely polymorphic—ranging from submerged finely dissected segments to pinnately or ternately compound aerial leaves, or completely reduced to hollow, cylindrical phyllodes (as in Lilaeopsis and Tiedemannia). Inflorescences are terminal or leaf-opposed compound umbels with white or pinkish flowers. The schizocarps are typically subterete or slightly laterally to dorsally compressed, with spongy, corky, thickened mericarp ribs or corky commissural faces that aid in water dispersal. They are nearly cosmopolitan, with major centers of diversity in North America and in temperate to Mediterranean Eurasia.

Accepted Genera: Actinanthus (1), Apodicarpum (1), Asciadium (1), Berula (7), Cicuta (4), Cryptotaenia (6), Cynosciadium (1), Daucosma (1), Harperella (1), Helosciadium (6), Lereschia (1), Lilaeopsis (12), Limnosciadium (2), Neogoezia (5), Oenanthe (35), Oxypolis (4), Perideridia (14), Pterygopleurum (1), Ptilimnium (5), Sium (10), Tiedemannia (2), Trepocarpus (1), Trocdaris (1).

9. Scandiceae Tribe

Annual, biennial, or perennial herbs with erect, often ribbed or stiff-hairy (hispid) stems. Leaves are typically 1- to multi-pinnately or ternately compound with finely divided leaflets and distinct sheathing petioles. Inflorescences are compound umbels, occasionally simple or head-like (capitate), with white, pinkish, or rarely yellowish flowers, where outer petals of marginal flowers are often enlarged and radiating. Fruits are typically elongated, cylindrical, or club-like (clavate) with a pronounced beak, or dorsally compressed to terete and densely covered with bristles, barbed (glochidiate) prickles, or bumps (tubercles) adapted for epizoochory. Their native range is centered in the Mediterranean Basin, temperate and southwest Asia, and North Africa, with several lineages native or naturalized worldwide. They are divided into 3 subtribes.

Subtribe 1: Scandicinae

Erect annuals or perennials with elongated, linear–oblong to club-shaped (clavate) schizocarps that typically taper into a prominent, sterile beak, with smooth or bristly primary ribs and no secondary ribs. Flowers are mostly white, with petals often radiating at the umbel margin. They are native primarily to temperate Eurasia and the Mediterranean Basin, extending into montane North America, South America, and parts of Africa.

Accepted Genera: Anthriscus (14), Athamanta (12), Chaerophyllopsis (1), Chaerophyllum (69), Conopodium (8), Geocaryum (3), Kozlovia (2), Krasnovia (1), Myrrhis (1), Neoconopodium (2), Osmorhiza (12), Scandix (12), Sphallerocarpus (1).

Subtribe 2: Daucinae

Annuals, biennials, or perennials with egg-shaped to dorsally compressed fruits with secondary ribs that are expanded into prominent wings or rows of hooked/barbed (glochidiate) spines, and filiform and bristly primary ribs. The inflorescence rays often curve inward when fruiting to form a “bird’s nest.” They are primarily centered in the Mediterranean region, North Africa, and Southwest Asia, with Daucus and relatives widespread across temperate continents.

Accepted Genera: Agasyllis (1), Ammoselinum (3), Artedia (1), Astrodaucus (3), Caucalis (1), Cuminum (4), Daucus (45), Exoacantha (1), Glaucosciadium (2), Laser (7), Laserpitium (8), Orlaya (3), Psammogeton (19), Registaniella (1), Siler (4), Silphiodaucus (2), Thapsia (8), Turgenia (2), Yabea (1).

Subtribe 3: Torilidinae

Annual to perennial herbs with laterally compressed to nearly rounded fruits adorned with straight or hooked spines, bristles, or warty bumps (tubercles) that densely cover the vallecular spaces or secondary ribs, obscuring the filiform primary ribs. The flowers are small, typically white to pink-tinted, with slightly radiate outer petals. They are centered in the Mediterranean Basin and Southwest/Central Asia, with Torilis broadly naturalized in North America and other temperate regions.

Accepted Genera: Astomaea (2), Chaetosciadium (1), Lisaea (3), Rhopalosciadium (1), Szovitsia (1), Torilis (15), Turgeniopsis (1).

10. Careae Tribe

Biennial or perennial herbs, often from tuberous, spindle-shaped (fusiform), or fascicled taproots. Leaves are 1- to 3-pinnately or ternately divided, occasionally simple, linear, or falcate with distinct sheathing bases. Inflorescences are compound umbels lacking or having only a few involucral bracts, with white or yellowish flowers that are mostly regular (non-radiate). Schizocarps are ovoid to oblong or nearly round, laterally compressed, with filiform to narrowly keeled primary ribs and solitary to multiple vittae in the furrows. They are native to temperate Eurasia, the Mediterranean Basin, North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.

Accepted Genera: Aegopodium (12), Caropodium (3), Carum (20), Falcaria (1), Fuernrohria (1), Gongylosciadium (1), Grammosciadium (4), Hellenocarum (3), Kundmannia (1), Rhabdosciadium (8), Sison (3), Trinia (13), Vinogradovia (1).

11. Pyramidoptereae Tribe

Perennial or biennial herbs, often with tuberous, rounded, or swollen subterranean taproots adapted to dry or rocky steppes. Leaves are multi-pinnatisect or finely divided into thread-like to linear–oblong segments with distinct petiolar sheaths. Inflorescences are compound umbels, occasionally reduced, with white, cream, or pale pinkish flowers. Mericarps are laterally compressed or nearly cylindrical, with slender, filiform or slightly prominent ribs that lack wide wings, and typically have vittae concealed within a somewhat thickened or spongy pericarp. They are native to Southwest and Central Asia, the Middle East, and parts of the Mediterranean Basin.

Accepted Genera: Adenosciadium (1), Bunium (34), Elaeosticta (25), Elwendia (31), Froriepia (1), Gongylotaxis (1), Korshinskia (5), Mogoltavia (2), Oedibasis (4), Pyramidoptera (1), Scaligeria (6), Schtschurowskia (2), Tamamschjanella (2).

12. Pimpinelleae Tribe

Perennial, biennial, or rarely annual herbs, often with aromatic taproots or woody rootstocks. Leaves show pronounced heterophylly, typically with simple- to pinnate-basal leaves with ovate, toothed segments, while stem (cauline) leaves are dissected into much narrower, linear divisions. Inflorescences are compound umbels with few to no involucral bracts, with small, non-radiate white, pink, or rarely yellowish flowers. Fruits are ovoid, oblong, or nearly round, laterally compressed, with filiform ribs, a bumpy (papillose), short-hairy (puberulent), or hairless (glabrous) surface, and multiple (2–4) vittae per vallecular furrow. They are native to temperate and subtropical Eurasia and Africa.

Accepted Genera: Aphanopleura (3), Demavendia (1), Frommia (1), Haussknechtia (1), Nothosmyrnium (2), Parapimpinella (1), Phellolophium (2), Pimpinella (156), Polyzygus (1), Spuriopimpinella (5), Zeravschania (14).

13. Selineae Tribe

Perennial, biennial, or rarely monocarpic perennial herbs, often robust and tall, arising from thick taproots or fibrous root crowns. Leaves are 1- to multi-pinnately or ternately compound, often with broad, inflated sheathing petioles. Inflorescences are large compound umbels of white, greenish-white, or yellow flowers with mostly uniform, non-radiate petals. Fruits are characteristically dorsally compressed schizocarps with prominent marginal ribs expanded into thin or thickened wings, while dorsal ribs are filiform or narrowly winged, containing solitary or multiple vittae per vallecular furrow. They are a large tribe widely distributed across temperate and montane Eurasia, North America, and North Africa.

Because Tribe Selineae represents the largest and most complex radiation in Apioideae (over 80 genera), modern phylogenetic treatments (e.g., Downie et al.) resolve it into 3 subtribes and an unassigned Selineae incertae sedis.

Subtribe 1: Seliinae / Seseli Group

Biennial or perennial herbs often adapted to rocky, calcareous, or steppe habitats, with multi-dissected foliage. Fruits are oblong to ovoid, slightly dorsally compressed or subterete, with prominent, thickened, non-winged or narrowly keeled ribs. They are primarily native to the Mediterranean Basin and Southern and Central Europe, extending through Central Asia.

Accepted Genera: Angoseseli (1), Caropsis (1), Chamaesciadium (1), Dethawia (1), Kadenia (2), Lomatocarum (1), Rivasmartinezia (2), Seseli (141), Seselopsis (2), Silaum (1), Stenosemis (2).

Subtribe 2: Angelicinae / Angelica Clade

Robust, tall perennial herbs with inflated petiolar sheaths and large compound umbels of white to greenish flowers. Mericarps are strongly dorsally compressed, with thin or thick lateral wings that are distinctly separate from one another and filiform dorsal ribs. They have a circumboreal distribution in temperate to subarctic Eurasia and North America.

Accepted Genera: Angelica (2-106 incl. Archangelica), Arcuatopterus (5), Chuanminshen (1), Glehnia (2), Halosciastrum (1), Ostericum (11), Vvedenskya (1).

Subtribe 3: Arracaciinae / Arracacia Clade / New World Selineae

Perennial herbs or subshrubs with diverse vegetative forms, from acaulescent alpine cushions to tall, caulescent herbs with tuberous roots. Schizocarps are dorsally compressed or subterete with ribs ranging from filiform to broadly winged, lacking secondary spine development. They are native to North, Central, and South America.

Accepted Genera: Aletes (4), Arracacia (42), Austropeucedanum (1), Coaxana (2), Cotopaxia (2), Coulterophytum (4), Cymopterus (42), Dahliaphyllum (1), Donnellsmithia (19), Enantiophylla (1), Harbouria (1), Lomatium (106), Mathiasella (1), Musineon (6), Neoparrya (1), Niphogeton (18), Oligocladus (1), Oreonana (3), Oreoxis (2-4), Pedinopetalum (1), Perissocoeleum (4), Podistera (4), Polytaenia (3), Prionosciadium (23), Rhodosciadium (15), Shoshonea (1), Taenidia (2), Tauschia (34), Thaspium (4), Vesper (6), Villarrealia (1), Zizia (3).

Subgroup 4: Selineae incertae sedis

They are a diverse group of perennials and subshrubs, often having dorsally flattened or terete mericarps with lateral wings, formerly grouped under traditional wastebasket concepts that do not belong cleanly to Seliinae, Angelicinae, or Arracaciinae. These remaining Eurasian and African Selineae genera are unassigned at the subtribal level due to severe polyphyly in historical genera and a lack of stable formal subtribes. Until this issue is resolved, they are placed here. They are mostly native to temperate Eurasia, the Sino-Himalayan region, Central Asia, and Africa, with some in the American continents.

Accepted Genera: Aethusa (1), Cenolophium (1), Cnidiocarpa (2), Cnidium (8), Conioselinum (21), Cortia (3), Cortiella (5), Cyathoselinum (1), Dactylaea (2), Dichoropetalum (36), Dimorphosciadium (2), Dystaenia (2), Ferulopsis (1), Haloselinum (1), Hansenia (9), Johrenia (7), Kailashia (3), Karatavia (1), Kedarnatha (6), Kitagawia (8), Ledebouriella (1), Leutea (9), Levisticum (1), Ligusticopsis (21), Ligusticum (35), Lithosciadium (2), Lomatocarpa (4), Magadania (2), Mediasia (1), Meum (1), Mutellina (4), Neogaya (1), Oreocome (10), Oreocomopsis (3), Pachypleurum (2), Paraligusticum (1), Paraselinum (1), Paulita (3), Peucedanum (72), Phlojodicarpus (3), Pilopleura (2), Pseudoselinum (1), Rhizomatophora (1), Rohmooa (1), Rupiphila (1), Rutheopsis (2), Sajanella (1), Saposhnikovia (1), Schoenoselinum (1), Schulzia (5), Scrithacola (1), Selinopsis (2), Selinum (11), Sillaphyton (1), Sphaenolobium (3), Stenocoelium (4), Taeniopetalum (3), Tetrataenium (21), Thamnosciadium (1), Tilingia (3), Todaroa (1), Tongoloa (18), Tschulaktavia (1), Vicatia (5), Xanthogalum (3), Xatardia (1), Xyloselinum (3).

14. Tordylieae Tribe

Biennial or polycarpic to monocarpic perennial herbs, ranging from small montane rosettes to massive, coarse, giant herbs reaching several meters tall with furrowed, hispid stems. Leaves are 1- to pinnately or ternately divided or lobed, often coarse with broad, dentate to serrate segments and prominently dilated petiolar sheaths. Inflorescences are broad compound umbels with white, cream, or greenish-yellow flowers whose marginal petals are typically strongly radiate and deeply bilobed. Schizocarps are strongly dorsally compressed, lenticular or disc-like, bordered by thickened, swollen, or wing-like marginal ribs (often with a beaded or cord-like margin), and possess prominent club-shaped (clavate) vittae extending partway down the valleculae. They are centered across the Mediterranean Basin, Southwest and Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Sino-Himalayan region, as well as some in Africa and temperate North America.

Modern phylogenetic treatments resolve Tribe Tordylieae into two well-supported subtribes, alongside a small group of unassigned African and Asian genera

Subtribe 1: Tordyliinae

Annual to perennial herbs, often softly hairy or stiff-hairy (hispid), with strongly flattened, disc-like mericarps with distinct, thickened, notched, or corrugated outer margins and prominent club-shaped (clavate) vittae. Outer flowers of the umbel are conspicuously radiant with large, unequal, deeply bifid petals. They are centered in the Eastern Mediterranean, Aegean, and Southwest Asia.

Accepted Genera: Autumnalia (2), Cymbocarpum (5), Ducrosia (6), Kalakia (1), Kandaharia (1), Lalldhwojia (4), Ormopterum (2), Ormosciadium (1), Pinda (2), Semenovia (31), Stefanoffia (2), Synclinostyles (2), Tamamschjania (1), Tordyliopsis (1), Tordylium (20), Trigonosciadium (7), Vanasushava (1), Zosima (4).

Subtribe 2: Heracleinae

Medium to giant biennial or perennial monocarpic/polycarpic herbs, frequently having thick taproots and containing phototoxic furanocoumarins. Inflorescences are large compound umbels of white to yellowish, strongly radiant flowers, yielding dorsally compressed schizocarps with broad, flat lateral wings and solitary, distinct clavate vittae that typically stop short of the fruit base. They are native to temperate to boreal Eurasia, the Caucasus, the Himalayas, and North America.

Accepted Genera: Heracleum (92), Leiotulus (10), Pastinaca (16), Pastinacopsis (1), Symphyoloma (1), Tricholaser (2).

Subgroup 3: Tordylieae incertae sedis

A distinct, predominantly Sub-Saharan African and Madagascan lineage of perennials and subshrubs that groups sister to or within the core Tordylieae in molecular phylogenies.

Accepted Genera: Afroligusticum (14), Afrosciadium (18), Lefebvrea (10), Notobubon (13), Physotrichia (6), Scaraboides (1), Stenotaenia (5).

15. Apieae Tribe

Annual, biennial, or perennial herbs, often strongly aromatic with essential oils and having slender taproots or fibrous root systems. Leaves are 1- to multi-pinnate or ternately dissected into filiform to obovate–cuneate segments with distinct petiolar sheaths. Inflorescences are compound umbels, terminal or leaf-opposed, with small, uniform white or greenish-yellow flowers that lack radiating marginal petals. Fruits are ovoid, oblong, or subglobose, laterally compressed to subterete, with 5 prominent, filiform to rounded primary ribs without wings or spines, and solitary to multiple vittae per vallecular furrow. They are primarily native to the Mediterranean Basin, North Africa, Europe, and Southwest Asia, with several agricultural and weedy species now cosmopolitan in distribution.

Accepted Genera: Ammi (3), Ammoides (2), Anethum (2), Apium (12), Cyclospermum (3), Foeniculum (5), Naufraga (1), Oreoschimperella (3), Petroselinum (1), Pseudoridolfia (1), Ptychotis (2), Ridolfia (1), Sclerosciadium (1), Stoibrax (3), Trachyspermum (15), Visnaga (2).

16. Conieae Tribe

Biennial or monocarpic/polycarpic perennial herbs, often robust and tall with hollow, hairless stems spotted or blotched with purple, containing highly poisonous piperidine alkaloids. Leaves are 2- to 4-pinnately divided with finely serrate or pinnatifid leaflets and broad, dilated basal sheaths that emit a distinct foetid or “mousy” odor when crushed. Inflorescences are compound umbels of small, white, non-radiate flowers subtended by small, lanceolate, reflexed bracts and bracteoles. Fruits are broadly ovoid to nearly round, laterally compressed schizocarps with conspicuous, undulate–crenate (wavy) primary ribs, lacking prominent wings, and characterized by the absence of discrete vittae in mature fruits. Native to temperate Eurasia and North Africa, although Conium was introduced and widely naturalized across North America, South America, Southern Africa, and Australasia.

Accepted Genera: Conium (6).

17. Cachryeae Tribe

The tribe consists of robust perennial herbs that often have thick, woody, aromatic, or resinous taproots, along with solid or fistular, grooved stems. Leaves are 2- to multiple-pinnately dissected into numerous fine, rigid, linear, or filiform segments with well-developed, persistent fibrous remains at the base. Inflorescences are large compound umbels bearing conspicuous yellow (rarely white or purplish) flowers with uniform petals. Mericarps are oblong to ovoid or subglobose, subterete or dorsally compressed, characterized by a thick, spongy, or corky pericarp with smooth, winged, or undulating-cristate ribs, and an endocarp deeply folded into an inner cavity with numerous scattered or obscure vittae. The tribe is centered in the Mediterranean Basin, North Africa, and Southwest to Central Asia.

Accepted Genera: Azilia (1), Bilacunaria (6), Cachrys (7), Diplotaenia (5), Fergania (1), Heptaptera (8), Portenschlagiella (1), Prangos (49), Sclerochorton (1).

18. Smyrnieae Tribe

Biennial or monocarpic to perennial herbs, often stout and hairless, emerging from swollen or tuberous taproots and producing strong aromatic scents. Leaves are ternately or pinnately compound, with stem leaves often reduced, simple, or broadly amplexicaul and perfoliate with prominent sheaths. Inflorescences are dense compound umbels of small, yellow, or greenish-yellow, non-radiate flowers. Schizocarps are broadly ovoid to didymous or subglobose, laterally compressed, turning dark brown to jet-black at maturity, with prominent filiform ribs, deeply grooved or involute endosperm on the commissural face, and numerous solitary or bundled vittae. Centered in the Mediterranean Basin, Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East / Southwest Asia.

Accepted Genera: Lecokia (1), Smyrniopsis (2), Smyrnium (6).

19. Echinophoreae Tribe

Rigid, spiny, or prickly perennial herbs, subshrubs, or cushion plants adapted to arid, coastal, or stony semi-desert habitats. Leaves are pinnately dissected into spine-tipped, channeled/grooved (canaliculate), or awl-shaped (subulate) segments. Inflorescences are distinctive, head-like, or compact compound umbels where only the central flower of each umbellule is typically fertile and female/hermaphroditic, closely surrounded by a ring of pedicellate male flowers. Schizocarps are unique in the family: the fertile fruit becomes deeply embedded in and completely enclosed by the hardened, woody, spine-tipped involucel or receptacle, forming a rigid dispersal unit. These are centered in the Mediterranean Basin, North Africa, the Middle East, and Southwest/Central Asia.

Accepted Genera: Anisosciadium (3), Dicyclophora (1), Echinophora (11), Nirarathamnos (1), Pycnocycla (15), Thecocarpus (2).

20. Coriandreae Tribe

Annual or biennial herbs, usually hairless and strongly aromatic with aliphatic aldehydes (producing a pungent “cilantro” scent). Leaves are pinnately divided, with basal leaves typically having broad, fan-shaped toothed segments, while upper stem leaves are dissected into narrow, linear lobes. Inflorescences are compound umbels with white or pinkish, radiate marginal flowers. Schizocarps are subglobose, spherical, or didymous (twin-lobed), scarcely separating at maturity; primary ribs are slender or obscure, while secondary ribs are prominent and rounded, with vittae usually absent or obscure in mature fruits. Centered in the Mediterranean Basin and Southwest/Central Asia, although Coriandrum is widely cultivated and naturalized globally.

Accepted Genera: Bifora (3), Coriandrum (2), Krubera (1).

21. Aciphylleae Tribe

Perennial herbs, subshrubs, or large tussock-forming “speargrasses” with thick, deep taproots. Leaves are intensely xeromorphic, leathery, or spinose, ranging from simple-linear to multi-pinnate with stiff, needle-pointed segments and robust, sheathing petioles. Plants are often dioecious or functionally unisexual, with dense, spicate, paniculate, or compound umbels of cream, yellow, or reddish flowers. Mericarps are dorsally or laterally compressed with 3–5 prominent, winged ribs, lacking spines, and possessing multiple vittae per furrow. Native to Australasia, mostly endemic to alpine and subalpine New Zealand.

Accepted Genera: Aciphylla (45), Anisotome (17), Gingidia (12), Lignocarpa (2), Scandia (2).

22. Feruleae Tribe

Coarse, robust perennial herbs, often massive (giant monocarpic or polycarpic herbs), and frequently rich in aromatic gum resins with thick, fleshy taproots. Leaves are 2- to multi-pinnatisect into fine or broad segments, with very large, inflated cauline sheaths. Inflorescences are large terminal and lateral compound umbels, with the central umbels typically fertile and the lateral umbels male, with bright yellow or greenish flowers. Mericarps are strongly dorsally compressed, flat, or lenticular, with prominent lateral ribs expanded into broad, thin, continuous wings, filiform dorsal ribs, and numerous vittae forming ribbons or solitary stripes across the valleculae and commissure. Centered in the Mediterranean Basin, North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Irano-Turanian region.

Accepted Genera: Cephalopodum (2), Deverra (10), Ekimia (4), Ferula (230), Ferulago (1), Kenopleurum (1), Ladyginia (3), Modesciadium (1), Opoidia (1), Palimbia (3), Stewartiella (1).

23. East Asian/Sino-Himalayan Clades (The Acronema Clade sensu lato)

Delicate to moderately robust perennial or biennial herbs, often geophytic with tuberous or slender rootstocks, adapted to high-elevation forests, alpine meadows, and rock crevices. Leaves are 1- to 3-pinnately or ternately divided into ovate, cuneate, or linear segments. Inflorescences are loose, few-flowered compound or simple umbels with white, pink, or purple flowers that often bear caudate or filiform petal tips. Mericarps are ovoid, subglobose, or oblong, laterally compressed, with filiform primary ribs and 1–3 vittae per furrow. Native to the Sino-Himalayan region, Central Asia, and East Asia.

Accepted Genera: Acronema (35), Aegokeras (3), Arafoe (1), Carlesia (1), Chamaesium (10), Changium (2), Harrysmithia (2), Karnataka (1), Keraymonia (4), Meeboldia (6), Melanosciadium (6), Pternopetalum (21), Sinocarum (18), Sinolimprichtia (1),

24. Lagoecieae Tribe/The Lagoecia Clade

Small, slender annual herbs adapted to dry Mediterranean macchie, garrigue, and stony hillsides. Leaves are pinnately dissected with serrate to pectinate margins and setose-bristly segments. Inflorescences are compact, somewhat head-like or globular compound umbels surrounded by prominent, feather-like, pectinate–pinnatifid involucral and involucellar bracts. The flowers are minute and greenish-white, yielding cylindrical to turbinate fruits that are uniquely reduced to a single fertile 1-seeded mericarp adorned with scarious pectinate scales and obscure vittae. Native to the Mediterranean Basin, North Africa, and Southwest Asia.

Accepted Genera: Lagoecia (1), Oliveria (1), Postiella (1).

25. Opopanaceae Tribe/The Opopanax Clade

Coarse, robust perennial herbs with thick, fibrous-topped taproots and solid, striate stems that exude yellowish gum resins. Leaves are 1- to 3-pinnate with large, obliquely cordate, crenate to serrate leaflets and broad, dilated basal sheaths. Inflorescences are large compound umbels of uniform, non-radiate yellow or greenish flowers. Mericarps are strongly dorsally compressed, oblong–elliptic, with thickened, narrowly bordered marginal ribs, filiform dorsal ribs, and solitary or paired vallecular vittae. Native to the Mediterranean Basin, Southern Europe, the Levant, and the Caucasus.

Accepted Genera: Bonannia (1), Magydaris (2), Opopanax (4), Petroedmondia (1), Siculosciadium (1).

26. The Crithmum Clade (The Maritime Apioids)

Glabrous, succulent perennial herbs or semi-woody herbs adapted to coastal sea cliffs and rocky maritime shores. Leaves are 1- to 2-pinnate, composed of fleshy, terete, or linear, slightly flattened glaucous leaflets with sheathing petiolar bases. Inflorescences are dense compound umbels subtended by persistent, reflexed triangular bracts and bearing yellowish-green, non-radiate flowers. The schizocarps are ovoid to oblong, slightly dorsally compressed, with spongy, thickened pericarp tissue adapted for flotation (hydrochory), prominent keeled ribs, and numerous scattered vittae. Native to the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts of Europe, Macaronesia (Canary Islands, Madeira), and the Mediterranean/Black Sea coasts of North Africa and Western Asia.

Accepted Genera: Astydamia (1), Crithmum (1).

27. The Erigenia Clade

Delicate, small, vernal, ephemeral perennial herbs emerging from deep, globose, starchy subterranean tubers. Leaves are ternately compound with oblong to linear ultimate segments, appearing alongside or just following early-spring flowering. Inflorescences are small, leafy-bracted, compact compound umbels bearing widely spaced white petals with contrasting dark reddish-purple anthers (“harbinger-of-spring”). Fruits are subglobose to didymous, laterally compressed schizocarps with filiform primary ribs and multiple small vittae per furrow. Native to eastern and central North America.

Accepted Genera: Erigenia (1).

28. Molopospermeae Tribe

Stout, glabrous, aromatic perennial herb from thick, fibrous rootstocks with furrowed, hollow stems. Leaves are large, triangular, 3- to 4-pinnatisect with shiny, fern-like, sharply serrate leaflets and dilated, membranous petiolar sheaths. Inflorescences are large, long-pedunculate compound umbels with numerous rays and conspicuous bracts, bearing yellowish to greenish-white flowers. Mericarps are ovoid–oblong, slightly laterally compressed, and have sharply prominent, unequal, winged primary ribs with broad furrows and multiple prominent vittae. It is endemic to the Alps, Pyrenees, and adjacent mountain chains.

Accepted Genera: Molopospermum (1).

29. The Steppe / Irano-Turanian Relicts (Schrenkia & Allied Genera)

Biennial or perennial herbs, often taprooted and adapted to dry steppes, clay hills, and screes of the Irano-Turanian zone of Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Middle East. Leaves are finely multi-pinnatisect into filiform or setaceous segments, frequently with persistent fibrous collars around the root crown. Inflorescences are loose compound umbels with white, pinkish, or pale yellow flowers. Fruits are ovoid to subglobose or cylindrical, slightly laterally compressed, with filiform, corky, or wingless ribs and conspicuous solitary or multiple vittae.

Accepted Genera: Galagania (6), Hyalolaena (9), Kelussia (1), Lipskya (1), Schrenkia (13), Spiroceratium (1).

30. Apioideae incertae sedis (Unassigned Genera of the Apiodeae Subfamily)

Isolated relictual, satellite, or poorly resolved lineages that diverge independently along the Apioid Superclade backbone.

African/Macaronesian Relicts: Cannaboides (2), Capnophyllum (4), Dasispermum (7), Diplolophium (7), Marlothiella (1), Pseudocannaboides (1).

Mediterranean and European Relicts: Endressia (2), Grafia (1), Hladnikia (1), Horstrissea (1), Trochiscanthes (1).

American Relicts: Apiastrum (1), Eurytaenia (2), Myrrhidendron (5), Neonelsonia (1), Notiosciadium (1), Ottoa (1), Spermolepis (11).

D. Saniculoideae Subfamily

The Saniculoideae are the much smaller sister group that split off with the Apioideae. They are still a diverse group of annual herbs and subshrubs to trees (Steganotaenia and Polemanniopsis). Leaves may be tripinnately or palmately compound or simple and often palmately lobed, and some have hairy or spiny teeth. Inflorescences are usually simple umbels or capitula, and bracts may be foliaceous or petaloid. Fruits are schizocarps that may be barely to strongly compressed dorsally or laterally and are commonly adorned with scales, wings, spines, hooks, or prickles. They have a cosmopolitan distribution. They are further divided into two distinct tribes.  

1. Saniculeae Tribe

Herbaceous biennials or perennials (rarely annuals) with variable leaves, often palmately lobed, deeply divided, or parallel-veined and monocot-like, frequently with spiny or ciliate margins. Inflorescences are often condensed into head-like umbels subtended by a prominent, sometimes showy involucre. Fruits are diverse but characteristically covered in scales, tubercles, or hooked bristles, with vittae that are often large and irregularly arranged. Cosmopolitan in distribution.

Accepted Genera: Actinolema (2), Alepidea (31), Arctopus (3), Astrantia (11), Eryngium (254), Petagnaea (1), Sanicula (49).

Subtribe 2: Steganotaenieae

Small trees or woody shrubs native to Sub-Saharan and Southern Africa with large, pinnately compound leaves, compound umbels that often emerge before the leaves, and fruits that are strongly dorsally compressed and winged, resembling some Apioideae.

Accepted Genera: Polemanniopsis (2), Steganotaenia (3).

E. Unplaced in a Subfamily

These are early-diverging lineages that fall outside the circumscription of the four subfamilies, typically exhibiting transitional characters that make them difficult to place. Hermas is endemic to the Cape of South Africa, Klotzschia is endemic to Brazil (South America), and Platysace is endemic to Australia.

Unplaced Genera: Hermas (9), Klotzschia (3), Platysace (23).

Key Differences From Similar Families

Apiaceae are both similar to and closely related to the Araliaceae family, and often, the two can be hard to differentiate. However, some more common differences include the fact that the Apiaceae are usually herbs vs. usually shrubs and trees in the Araliaceae; the leaves that usually lack stipules in the Apiaceae vs. usually present in the Araliaceae; and the fruit, which is a dry schizocarp with two mericarps vs. a berry-like drupe in the Araliaceae.

Scientific Botanical Description of the Apiaceae

Below is for citizen scientists, researchers, or anyone who wants to dive deeper into the world of botany to learn more about the Apiaceae family. Note that most botanical terms have a hover-over definition to help you better understand what they mean.

Habit & Leaf Form of the Apiaceae

Plants of the Apiaceae are usually soft-stemmed aromatic annual, biennial, or perennial herbs, but some have tough stems, and a few are even woody, tree-like, or shrubby species in the tropics. Plants may be helophytic, mesophytic, or xerophytic (e.g., Eryngium), and stems are frequently hollow between leaf joints and are often ribbed (e.g., Angelica). Modified growth habits include plants that are succulent (e.g., Crithmum), or sometimes the principal photosynthesizing functions are transferred to stems (e.g., Platysace compressa) or to phyllodinous structures (petiole or rachis perform leaf function) (e.g., Lilaeopsis).

Leaves are usually well-developed but can be reduced in switch plants and occasionally are conspicuously heterophyllous (e.g., Helosciadium inundatum). They are small to large and arranged alternately or alternately and oppositely (usually just oppositely on upper leaves) or rarely opposite or only in a basal rosette. Leaves are usually herbaceous but may occasionally be leathery or rarely fleshy.

Attachment to the stem is either petiolate or sometimes perfoliate or peltate; occasionally, it is pulvinate. They are nearly always possessing characteristic sheaths with free margins and may or may not be pulvinate.

Leaf arrangement may be simple or compound ternate, imparipinnate, bipinnate, multiply compound, or rarely palmate. When simple, the lamina is usually dissected pinnatifid, but it may also be palmatifid (as seen in Sanicula, Astrantia, and Eryngium), spinose (in Eryngium), or sometimes entire. They are pinnately, palmately, or parallel-veined. Leaves are usually without stipules (but sometimes with stipular flanges or true stipules in Azorelloideae and Mackinlayoideae).

Leaves may be gland-dotted and are usually strongly aromatic due to schizogenous secretory resin canals.

Flowers of the Apiaceae

Apiaceae plants are usually hermaphroditic or andromonoecious, but polygamomonoecious and strictly dioecious (Acronema) genera occur. Pollination is entomophilous. Flowers are almost always aggregated in characteristic flat-topped terminal umbels that are frequently compound, though simple umbels, dense heads, or rarely solitary flowers can occur. Sometimes inflorescences may be pseudanthial, often with sterile flowers at the periphery. The primary umbel is frequently subtended by involucral bracts and umbellets by bracteoles.

Flowers are usually actinomorphic but may be zygomorphic at the umbel edge. They are small, epigynous, and tetracyclic (5-merous, exclusive of the gynoecium). A free hypanthium is absent. The perianth is dicyclic, consisting of distinct calyx and corolla whorls, though the calyx is often very reduced.

The perianth may be sepaline (corolla usually present) or petaline (calyx teeth sometimes present) with 4–10 parts in two (or one) isomerous whorls. The petals are unequal in size, with those pointing outwards from the umbel larger than those pointing in.

The calyx, when detectable, has five parts in one whorl that may be free or connate but typically consists of five small, free teeth, lobes, or scales; it is often reduced to a rim and never forms a tube. They are persistent in fruit and are situated at the top of the inferior ovary.

The corolla also has five parts in one whorl. The white, yellow, pink, or purple petals are always free, valvate, and may be unequal in zygomorphic marginal flowers or more equal in actinomorphic central flowers. The petals are also characteristically inflexed at the apex, with an incurved tip or notch.

Androecium of the Apiaceae

The Apiaceae androecium consists of five distinct members, all fertile stamens that are free of the perianth and of each other and arranged in a single whorl. They are equal or unequal, isomerous with the perianth, and alternipetalous (or opposite sepalous when sepals are present) on the margin of an epigynous glandular disc.

Filaments are characteristically inflexed in bud, uncurling and straightening at anthesis.

Anthers are tetrasporangiate, dithecal, introrse, and predominantly dorsifixed or sometimes sub-basifixed and dehisce via longitudinal slits.

Gynoecium of the Apiaceae

The gynoecium of the Apiaceae family is strictly syncarpous with 2 carpels with a 2-locular inferior ovary (rarely single-locular/single-seeded only through extreme reduction or abortion as in Petagnaea and Lagoecia).

The apex of the ovary is crowned with a conspicuous, fleshy, nectariferous epigynous disk called a stylopodium. Arising from the center of the sylopodium are 2 distinct, apical styles that are errect but become recurved or spreading in fruit.

Stigmas are small, terminal, wet-type, non-papillate, and capitate to truncate.

Placentation is both apical and axile. Each locule bears 1 solitary fertile ovule, often with a second vestigial ovule that aborts in early development and that is pendulous. The ovules are anatropous, unitegmic, and tenuinucellallate (occasionally pseudocrassinucellate), with a ventral raphe and lacking an aril.   

Fruit of the Apiaceae

The fruits of the Apiaceae are non-fleshy, specialized dry schizocarps called cremocarps. The cremocarps have two mericarps that are united across a central junction, called the commissure. At maturity, they split into two mericarps, each with a single seed. In most lineages, the separated mericarps remain pendulous, suspended by a rigid central axis called the carpophore. Mericarps are often compressed laterally or dorsally, which is a key diagnostic feature in some subfamilies and tribes.

Each mericarp typically has 5 primary ribs of varying morphology (filiform, obscure, corky, or expanded into papery wings). In several tribes, secondary ribs are also seen. Another characteristic Apiaceae feature is the presence of oil canals called vittae located along the commissural surface.

Seeds have a thin testa, often fused to the pericarp. They are oily and endospermic.

Global Distribution of Apiaceae

The Apiaceae family is a cosmopolitan family found all over the globe, from frigid arctic to tropical zones, and is found on every continent except Antarctica. However, the temperate north zone has the greatest diversity of species. In the American continents, Apiaceae occurs from Alaska, USA, and Arctic Canada all the way south to southern Patagonia and the Falkland Islands.

Distribution of Apiaceae in the Americas

Canadian Apiaceae – Apioideae Subfamily Genera

Bupleureae Tribe in Canada

Bupleurum 2 spp. native to YT, AB, NT, and BC and are introduced to QC and ON.

Oenantheae Tribe in Canada

Berula 1 sp. native to BC and ON; Cicuta 4 spp. N temperate genus native to all of Canada, including the Arctic; Cryptotaenia 1 sp. a former NAM endemic native in MB, ON, and QC and extirpated in NB; Lilaeopsis 2 spp. native in BC and NS; Oenanthe 1 sp. native to BC; Oxypolis 2 spp. NAM endemic genus native to BC and ON; Perideridia 1 sp. NAM endemic genus native to BC, AB, and SK; Sium 1 sp. native to all of Canada, including the Arctic.

Scandiceae Tribe—Scandicinae Subtribe in Canada

Anthriscus 3 spp. intro to BC, ON, QC, NB, NS, and NL (exc. Labrador); Chaerophyllum 3 spp. intro to BC, native in ON, and QC?; Conopodium 1 sp. intro to NL Island; Myrrhis monospecific intro to BC, ON, NS, and NL Island; Osmorhiza 6 spp. native to all of Canada.

Scandiceae Tribe—Daucinae Subtribe in Canada

Daucus 2 spp., including 1 native to BC and 1 introduced to all of the S provinces; Yabea monospecific W NAM endemic genus native to BC.

Scandiceae Tribe—Torilidinae Subtribe in Canada

Torilis 3 spp. intro to BC, ON, and QC.

Careae Tribe in Canada

Aegopodium 1 sp. intro to all of S Canada except AB and Labrador; Carum 1 sp. intro to all of Canada except YT and Labrador.

Pyramidoptereae Tribe in Canada

Bunium 1 sp. intro to NL?.

Pimpinelleae Tribe in Canada

Pimpinella 2 spp. intro to AB, ON, QC, NB, NS, and NL (exc. Labrador).

Selineae Tribe—Angelicinae Subtribe in Canada

Angelica 9 spp. native to all of Canada (& Greenland) except SK and MB; Glehnia 1 sp. NW NAM endemic genus native to BC.

Selineae Tribe—Arracaciinae Subtribe in Canada

Cymopterus 1 sp. NAM endemic genus native to AB, SK, and MB; Lomatium 20 spp. NAM endemic genus native to BC, AB, SK, and MB; Musineon 1 sp. C NAM endemic genus native to AB, SK, and MB; Podistera 2 spp. native to YT and NT; Taenidia 1 sp. E NAM endemic genus native to ON and QC; Thaspium 3 spp. E NAM endemic genera native to ON and NS; Zizia 2 spp. N NAM endemic genus native to all of S Canada exc. PE and NL, and inc. YT.

Selineae Tribe—Selineae incertae sedis in Canada

Aethusa monospecific intro to ON, QC, NB, and NS; Cnidium 1 sp. native to BC, YT, and NT; Conioselinum 2 spp. N temperate genus native to BC, ON, NL, NB, NS, and PE; Levisticum monospecific intro to AB, ON, QC, and NS; Ligusticum 6 spp. N temperate genus native to BC, ON, QC, NL, NS, NB, PE, and NU (& Greenland); Peucedanum 1 sp. intro to ON and NS.

Tordylieae Tribe—Heracleinae Subtribe in Canada

Heracleum 4 spp., including 1 native to all of Canada except NU and 3 spp. introduced to BC, YT, ON, QC, NB, NS, PE, and NL; Pastinaca 1 sp. introduced to all of Canada except NU.

Apieae Tribe in Canada

Anethum 1 sp. intro to S provinces except NS, NB, PE, and NL; Foeniculum 1 sp. intro to BC, ON, and QC via cultivation; Petroselinum monospecific intro to BC and ON.

Conieae Tribe in Canada

Conium 1 sp. intro to BC, AB, SK, ON, QC, NB, and NS.

Coriandreae Tribe in Canada

Coriandrum 1 sp. intro to ON, QC, and NS.

The Erigenia Clade in Canada

Erigenia monospecific E. NAM endemic genus native to ON.

Canadian Apiaceae—The Saniculoideae Subfamily

Saniculeae Tribe in Canada

Astrantia 1 sp. intro to NL (exc. Labrador); Eryngium 4 subcosmopolitan spp. introduced to BC, AB, SK, ON, and QC; Sanicula 9 spp. native to all of S. Canada except Labrador.  

USA Apiaceae—The Mackinlayoideae Subfamily

Centella 2 spp. native to TX, LA, AR, MS, AL, GA, FL, SC, NC, VA, MD, DE, and NJ and introduced to WA, OH, and HI.

USA Apiaceae—The Azorelloideae Subfamily

Bowlesia 1 sp. native to OR, CA, NV, AZ, NM, TX, OK, LA, MS, AL, and FL.

USA Apiaceae – Apiodeae Subfamily Genera

Bupleureae Tribe in the USA

Bupleurum 4 spp. native to AK and native and introduced to most of the USA except WA, NV, UT, ND, NE, OK, MN, IA, WI, RI, ME, MS, and SC.

Oenantheae Tribe in the USA

Berula 1 sp. native to all of the W USA, from MN S to LA and all states W except LA, including MI and NY; Cicuta 4 spp. N temperate genus native to all of the USA, inc. AK; Cryptotaenia 1 sp. former NAM endemic genus native to all of the E USA from ND S to TX and every state E; Cynosciadium monospecific S USA endemic genus of TX, OK, LA, AR, MO, IL, TN, MS, and AL; Daucosma monospecific narrow endemic genus of NM and TX; Harperella monospecific SE USA endemic genus of AL, AK, MS, GA, SC, NC, VA, MD, and OK; Helosciadium 1 sp. intro to CA, PA, and NJ; Lilaeopsis 6 spp. native to WA, OR, CA, AZ, TX, LA, AR, MS, AL, FL, GA, SC, VA, NC, MD, NY, NJ, MA, NH, ME, and AK; Limnosciadium 2 spp. SE USA endemic genus of TX, OK, KS, LA, AR, MS, MO, and IA; Oenanthe 4 spp. native to AK, WA, OR, and CA and intro to MO, OH, and MD; Oxypolis 4 spp. NAM endemic genera native to all of the USA except WA, ID, WY, NV, ND, SD, NE, and KS, inc. 2 endemic to the S USA; Perideridia 14 spp. NAM endemic genus native to the W USA from MT S to NM, plus SD, KS, OK, MO, AR, IL, IN, KY, TN, AL, and MS, and possibly extirpated in OH, including 12 endemic to the USA; Ptilimnium 5 spp. USA & Caribbean endemic genus native in most of the SE USA (4 endemics) from KS, S to TX and E to NJ except IN, OH, and inc SD, NY, CT, RI, and MA; Sium 2 spp. native to all of the USA exc. OK but inc. AK; Tiedemannia 2 spp. SE USA & Caribbean endemic genus native to TX, LA, MS, AL, GA, FL, SC, NC, and MD, extirpated in DE; Trepocarpus monospecific SE USA endemic genus of TX, OK, LA, AR, MO, KY, TN, MS, AL, GA, FL, and SC.

Scandiceae Tribe—Scandicinae Subtribe in the USA

Anthriscus 3 spp. intro to WA, OR, CA, ID, MT, WY, AZ, NE, OK, MN, MO, AR, LA, GA, SC, NC, TN, VA, WV, MD, DE, WI, IL, IN, OH, MI, PA, NJ, NY, CT, RI, MA, VT, and ME; Chaerophyllum 4 spp. intro and native to most of the E USA from ND S to TX and all E except ND, SD, MN, CT, MA, VT, NH, and ME, and including AZ and NM; Myrrhis monospecific introduced to OR, MI, and PA; Osmorhiza 8 spp. native to all of the USA, including AK but exc. FL and LA, including 1 US endemic; Scandix 1 sp. intro to WA, OR, CA, AZ, TX, SD, AL, GA, FL, SC, NC, TN, OH, MI, PA, MD, NJ, NY, RI, and MA.

Scandiceae Tribe—Daucinae Subtribe in the USA

Ammoselinum 2-3 spp., including 1 endemic, native to CA, AZ, NM, TX, LA, OK, KS, AR, MO, MS, TN, NC, and intro to AL; Caucalis monospecific intro to PA and HI; Cuminum 1 sp. intro to TX and MA; Daucus 2 spp., including 1 native to the W, S, and SE USA and 1 intro to all of the USA, including AK and HI; Turgenia 1 sp. intro to WA, OR, and PA; Yabea monospecific W NAM endemic genus native to WA, ID, OR, CA, NV, UT, AZ, and NM.

Scandiceae Tribe—Torilidinae Subtribe in the USA

Torilis 5 spp. introduced to most of the USA except MT and S to NM, also except NV, ND, SD, MN, DE, CT, RI, VT, NH, ME, and inc. HI.

Careae Tribe in the USA

Aegopodium 1 sp. intro to WA, OR, ID, MT, MN, WI, IL, MO, KY, TN, GA, SC, NC, VA, WV, MD, DE, IN, OH, MI, PA, NJ, NY, CT, RI, MA, VT, NH, and ME; Carum 1 sp. intro to the N half of the USA from OR E to NJ and all N except NE, including UT, CO, NM, LA, MO, TN, KY, WV, VA, MD, and NC; Falcaria monospecific intro to WY, SD, NE, OK, LA, IA, MO, WI, IL, WV, VA, MD, PA, NY, and CT.

Pimpinelleae Tribe in the USA

Pimpinella 3 spp. are introduced to WA, MT, MN, WI, TN, IN, MI, OH, VA, WV, MD, DE, PA, NJ, NY, CT, MA, VT, and ME.

Selineae Tribe—Seliinae Subtribe in the USA

Seseli 1 sp. intro to MD.

Selineae Tribe—Angelicinae Subtribe in the USA

Angelica 22 spp. native to all of the USA, including AK, but excluding ND, SD, NE, KS, and TX; Glehnia 1 sp. NW NAM endemic genus native to WA, OR, and CA.

Selineae Tribe—Arracaciinae Subtribe in the USA

Aletes 4 spp. S NAM endemic genus native to CO, NM, TX, and WY, including 2 narrow endemics of CO (1 of which was also in WY but has been extirpated); Cymopterus ~40 spp. native to all of the W half of the USA from ND S to TX, including MN; Harbouria monospecific C USA endemic of WY, CO, and NM; Lomatium 89+ spp. NAM endemic genus native to all of the W+C USA from MN S to LA and all states W exc. LA, with most being endemics of the USA; Musineon 6 spp. C NAM endemic genus native to ID, MT (1 narrow endemic), WY, CO, NV, UT, NM, ND, SD, and NE, including 5 endemic to the USA; Neoparrya monospecific narrow SW USA endemic genus of NM and CO; Oreonana 3 spp. narrow endemic genus of CA; Oreoxis 2-4 spp. narrow endemic genus of UT, CO, and NM; Podistera 4 spp. native to CA, UT, CO, NM, and AK; Polytaenia 3 spp. E USA endemic genus of ND, NE, KS, OK, TX, MN, IA, MO, AR, LA, MS, AL, TN, KY, WI, IL, IN, and MI; Shoshonea monospecific narrow endemic genus of WY and MT; Taenidia 2 spp. E NAM endemic genus native in all the E half of the USA from ND S to TX and all E except ME, NH, CT, FL, ND, and NE, includes 1 endemic of NE USA; Tauschia 10 spp. native to WA, ID, OR, CA, and TX, about half are endemic; Thaspium 4 spp. E NAM endemic genera native to all of the E USA (1 endemic) from ND S to TX and all E except ND, SD, NE, CT, MA, VT, NH, and ME; Vesper 6 spp. SW NAM endemic genus native to CA, NV, ID, UT, AZ, WY, CO, NM, SD, NE, KS, OK, and TX, including 5 SW USA endemics; Zizia 3 spp. N NAM endemic genus native to all of the USA except CA, AZ, and NM, including 1 endemic to SE USA.

Selineae Tribe—Selineae incertae sedis in the USA

Aethusa monospecific sp. intro to ID, AR, MN, WI, IL, IN, OH, KY, MI, WV, PA, DE, NJ, NY, CT, RI, MA, and ME; Cnidium 2 spp. including 1 native in AK and 1 intro to OR; Conioselinum 4 spp. N temperate genus native to most of the USA, including AK, but excluding ID, NV, ND, SD, KS, OK, TX, AR, MS, AL, SC, FL, TN, KY, WV, MD, and DE; Levisticum monospecific intro to CO, NM, MO, MN, MI, OH, PA, NJ, NY, CT, MA, VT, and ME; Ligusticum 11 spp. N temperate genus native to all W and E states, including AK but excluding ND S to TX and MN, IA, LA, FL, WI, IL, MI, and VT; Peucedanum 3 spp. introduced to TN, PA, NY, WV, and MA, and 1 native to HI; Selinum 1 sp. introduced to MA, VT, and NY?; Tilingia 1 sp. native to AK.

Tordylieae Tribe—Tordyliinae Subtribe in the USA

Tordylium 1 sp. introduced in AZ.

Tordylieae Tribe—Heracleinae Subtribe in the USA

Heracleum 3 spp. inc. 1 native and 2 intro to most of the USA exc. TX, OK, AR, LA, MS, AL, FL, and SC, and it is native in AK; Pastinaca 1 sp. intro in all the USA exc. MS, AL, GA, and FL.

Apieae Tribe in the USA

Ammi 2 spp. intro to OR, CA, AZ, TX, LA, MS, AL, GA, FL, SC, NC, MO, SD, and PA; Anethum 1 sp. intro to most of the USA, including HI but excluding ID, NV, UT, WY, NM, TN, MS, AL, GA, SC, FL, VT, and NH; Apium 4 spp. intro in WA, OR, CA, ID, UT, AZ, TX, OK, SD, MO, LA, IL, TN, MS, FL, SC, NC, OH, WV, PA, NJ, NY, CT, and MA; Cyclospermum 1 sp. intro to all of the S USA from NM E to NC and inc CA, NV, OR, IL, VA, WV, MD, PA, NY, and HI; Foeniculum 1 sp. intro to HI and most of the USA except ID, MT, WY, CO, ND, SD, OK, MN, AL, VT, and NH; Petroselinum monospecific intro to WA, CA, NV, UT, ID, MT, KS, TX, LA, AR, MS, FL, GA, SC, NC, IA, MI, OH, PA, MD, NJ, NY, CT, RI, MA, and HI; Trachyspermum 1 sp. intro to MI; Visnaga 1 sp. intro to CA, OR, AL, TX, FL, NC, and PA.

Conieae Tribe in the USA

Conium 1 sp. intro to all of the USA except MS and FL.

Smyrnieae Tribe in the USA

Smyrnium 1 sp. introduced to AL.

Coriandreae Tribe in the USA

Bifora 3 spp., including 1 S USA endemic of TX, OK, and AR, and 2 spp. intro to AL, PA, MD, NJ, and RI; Coriandrum 1 sp. intro to WA, OR, CA, NV, MT, ND, SD, AZ, NM, TX, OK, LA, FL, MO, IL, TN, SC, NC, VA, DE, MD, MI, OH, PA, NJ, NY, CT, RI, MA, and HI.

The Erigenia Clade in the USA

Erigenia monospecific E NAM endemic genus native to NE, OK, MO, AR, and WI S to MS and all E except FL, SC, DE, NJ, CT, RI, MA, VT, NH, and ME.

Apioideae incertae sedis—American Relicts in the USA

Apiastrum monospecific SW NAM endemic genus native to CA and AZ; Eurytaenia 2 spp. S USA endemic genus of NM, TX (1 endemic), and OK; Spermolepis 9 spp. native in most of S+E USA (6 endemics) from ND S to TX except the NE states but inc. NM, AZ, CA, and HI.

USA Apiaceae—The Saniculoideae Subfamily

Saniculeae Tribe in the USA

Eryngium 34 spp. subcosmopolitan genus native and introduced to all of the USA except UT, WY, MT, and ND; Sanicula 22 spp. native in all of the USA except AZ and UT, and inc. HI.

Mexico Apiaceae – Mackinlayoideae Subfamily Genera

Centella 2 spp. inc. 1 native and 1 intro to Chi, Coa, Dgo, NL, Tam, Zac, Gto, Qro, Ags, SLP, and Hgo; Micropleura 1 sp. Mexico & N neoendemic genus native to all of Mexico.

Mexico Apiaceae – Azorelloideae Subfamily Genera

Bowlesia 2 spp. native to N, C, and SW Mexico; Spananthe 1 sp. Mexico & neoendemic genus native to all of Mexico.

Mexico Apiaceae – Apioideae Subfamily Genera

Oenantheae Tribe in Mexico

Berula 1 sp. native to Nay, Jal, Col, Mch, Gro, Oax, Chp, Pue, Cam, Yuc, and QR; Cicuta 2 spp. N temperate genus native to Chi, Coa, NL, Tam, Dgo, Zac, Gto, Qro, Ags, SLP, and Hgo; Lilaeopsis 1 sp. native to most of Mexico except Chp, Tab, Cam, Yuc, and QR; Neogoezia 5 spp. Mexican endemic genus of N+SW+C Mexico and Ver; Oenanthe 1 sp. native to Nay, Jal, Col, Mch, and Gro.

Scandiceae Tribe—Scandicinae Subtribe in Mexico

Chaerophyllum 3 spp. native to N+SW+C Mexico and Ver, including one endemic; Osmorhiza 3 spp. native to most of Mexico except the SE, inc. 1 narrow endemic of NL.

Scandiceae Tribe—Daucinae Subtribe in Mexico

Ammoselinum 1-2 spp. native to BCN, BCS, Son, Sin, Chi, Dgo, Zac, Coa, NL, Tam, SLP, Gto, Qro, Ags, and Hgo; Cuminum 1 sp. intro to Chi, Coa, NL, Tam, Dgo, and Zac; Daucus 3 spp., including 2 native to all of Mexico and the Mexican Pacific Is., and 1 sp. intro to NE+C Mexico; Yabea monospecific W NAM endemic genus native to NW Mexico.

Scandiceae Tribe—Torilidinae Subtribe in Mexico

Torilis 1-2 spp. intro to NE Mexico.

Selineae Tribe—Angelicinae Subtribe in Mexico

Angelica 2 spp. native to most of Mexico except BCN, BCS, Son, Sin, Chp, Tab, Cam, Yuc, and QR.

Selineae Tribe—Arracaciinae Subtribe in Mexico

Aletes 1 sp. S NAM endemic genus native to NW Mexico; Arracacia ~24 spp Mexico & neoendemic genus native to all of Mexico, including several endemics; Coaxana 2 spp. Mexico + CAM endemic genus native to Nay, Jal, Col, Mch, Gro, Oax, Chp, Cam, Tab, Yuc, and QR, including 1 endemic; Coulterophytum 4 spp. narrow Mexico endemic genus of Mch (1), Jal (2), Dgo + Sin + Nay (1); Cymopterus 2-5 spp. NAM endemic genus native to much of Mexico except Mex, Cd Mex, Mor, Tlx, Pue, Ver, Tab, Cam, Yuc, and QR; Dahliaphyllum monospecific endemic genus of Nay, Jal, Col, Mch, Gro, and Oax; Donnellsmithia 19 spp. Mexico + N neoendemic genus native throughout all of Mexico, including 17 endemic to Mexico; Enantiophylla monospecific Mexico & CAM endemic genus native to most of Mexico except Ver, Tab, Cam, Yuc, and QR; Lomatium 1-2 spp. NAM endemic genus native to BC, BCS, Son, and Sin; Mathiasella monospecific NE Mexico endemic genus of Chi, Coa, NL, Tam, Dgo, SLP, Zac, Gto, Ags, Qro, and Hgo; Prionosciadium 23 spp. Mexico & Guatemala endemic genus native to all of Mexico, including 21+ endemic to Mexico; Rhodosciadium 15 spp. Mexico & Guatemala endemic genus native to all of Mexico (14 endemics); Tauschia ~22 spp. native, mostly endemics, in all of Mexico; Vesper 1 sp. SW NAM endemic genus native to BCN and Son; Villarrealia monospecific narrow endemic genus of Coa and NL.

Selineae Tribe—Selineae incertae sedis in Mexico

Conioselinum 1 sp. N temperate genus native to BC, BCS, Son, Sin, Chi, Coa, NL, Tam, Dgo, Zac, Ags, Gto, Qro, Hgo, SLP, Nay, Jal, Col, Mch, Gro, and Oax; Ligusticum 1-2 spp. N temperate genus native to BC, BCS, Son, Sin, Chi, Coa, NL, Tam, Dgo, Zac, Ags, SLP, Hgo, Gto, and Qro.

Apieae Tribe in Mexico

Ammi 1 sp. intro to SW+C Mexico; Apium 1 sp. intro to NW Mexico; Cyclospermum 1 sp. native to most of Mexico except BC, BCS, Son, and Sin, where it is intro; Petroselinum monospecific intro to Mex, Cd Mex, Mor, and Pue; Visnaga 1 sp. intro to SW Mexico. 

Coriandreae Tribe in Mexico

Coriandrum 1 sp. intro to NW+C Mexico.

Apioideae incertae sedis—American Relicts in Mexico

Apiastrum monospecific SW NAM genus native to BC, BCS, Son, and Sin?; Myrrhidendron 1 sp. N neoendemic genus native to Chp, Tab, Cam, Yuc, and QR; Neonelsonia monospecific neoendemic genus native to Nay, Jal, Col, Mch, Gro, Oax, Chp, Tab, Cam, Yuc, and QR; Ottoa monospecific N neoendemic genus native to Nay, Jal, Col, Mch, Gro, Chp, Ver, Tab, Cam, Yuc, and QR; Spermolepis 4 spp. native to BC, BCS, Son, Sin, Chi, Coa, NL, Tam, Dgo, Zac, Ags, Hgo, SLP, and Ver. 

Mexico Apiaceae – Saniculoideae Subfamily Genera

Saniculeae Tribe in Mexico

Eryngium ~55 spp. native throughout all of Mexico; Sanicula 4-5 spp. native to all of Mexico, including 2 endemics. 

Neotropical Apiaceae—Mackinlayoideae Subfamily Genera

Centella 1-2 spp. native to CAM (exc. Panama), Bahamas, Turks-Caicos, Greater Antilles, Leeward & Windward Is., Trinidad-Tobago, Juan Fernandez Is., Galápagos, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil (exc. N), Bolivia, Paraguay, C+S Chile, N Argentina, and Uruguay; Micropleura 2 spp. Mexico & neoendemic genus native to Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Colombia (1 endemic).

Neotropical Apiaceae—Azorelloideae Subfamily Genera

Asteriscium 9 spp. S SAM endemic genus of Chile (3 endemics) and Argentina (3 endemics in NW); Azorella ~40 spp. native to Costa Rica, Venezuela, Colombia, and through the Andes S through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina; Bowlesia 16 spp. former neoendemic genus native to French Guiana, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Chile (3), Argentina (3), Uruguay, and S+SE Brazil; Diposis 3 spp. narrow endemic genus of C Chile (1), S Argentina (1), and Uruguay (1); Domeykoa 5 spp. narrow endemic genus of Peru and N Chile; Eremocharis 9 spp. narrow W SAM endemic genus of N Chile and Peru; Gymnophyton 6 spp. Andes endemic genus of N+C Chile (6 endemic), Bolivia, and NW Argentina; Homalocarpus 6 spp. narrow endemic genus of N+C Chile; Pozoa 2 spp. S SAM endemic genus of NW+S Argentina and C+S Chile; Spananthe 2 spp. native to CAM, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru (1 endemic), Bolivia, C+E Brazil, Haiti, and Trinidad-Tobago.

Neotropical Apiaceae – Apioideae Subfamily Genera

Bupleureae Tribe in the Neotropics

Bupleurum 1 sp. intro to NE Argentina.

Oenantheae Tribe in the Neotropics

Asciadium monospecific endemic genus of Cuba; Berula 1 sp. native to Guatemala; Cryptotaenia 1 sp. former NAM endemic sp. introduced to Colombia and Peru; Helosciadium 1 sp. intro to N+C Chile and NE Argentina; Lilaeopsis 6 spp. native to Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, S Brazil (1 narrow endemic), Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay; Oenanthe 1 sp. intro to Uruguay and NE Argentina; Ptilimnium 1 sp. USA & Caribbean endemic genus native to Cuba, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico; Sium 1 sp. intro to N+C Chile; Tiedemannia 2 spp. S USA & Caribbean endemic genus native to the Bahamas and Cuba.

Scandiceae Tribe—Scandicinae Subtribe in the Neotropics

Anthriscus 1-2 spp. intro to C Chile and NW Argentina; Chaerophyllum 3 spp. native to Guatemala, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina, including 2 endemics of the Andes; Osmorhiza 4 spp. native to Guatemala, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and C+S Chile; Scandix 1 sp. intro to C Chile and NE Argentina.

Scandiceae Tribe—Daucinae Subtribe in the Neotropics

Ammoselinum 1 narrow endemic sp. of NE Argentina + Uruguay; Caucalis monospecific intro to NE Argentina; Daucus 3 spp. including 2 native to Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, S+SE Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay and 1 sp. intro to Greater Antilles (exc. Cayman Is.), Leeward Is., Trinidad-Tobago, Juan Fernandez Is., Desventurados Is., Peru, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and S Brazil.

Scandiceae Tribe—Torilidinae Subtribe in the Neotropics

Torilis 2 spp. intro to Peru, Bolivia, C Chile, N Argentina, S Brazil, and Uruguay.

Pimpinelleae Tribe in the Neotropics

Pimpinella 2 spp. intro to Guatemala, Venezuela, N Argentina, and S Brazil.

Selineae Tribe—Seliinae Subtribe in the Neotropics

Seseli 1 sp. intro to C Chile.

Selineae Tribe—Arracaciinae Subtribe in the Neotropics

Arracacia ~35 spp. Mexico & neoendemic genus of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, the Andes of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, and introduced to Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad-Tobago; Austropeucedanum monospecific narrow endemic genus of NW Argentina; Coaxana 1 sp. Mexico & CAM endemic genus native to Guatemala and Honduras; Cotopaxia 2 spp. N SAM endemic genus of the high Andes of Ecuador and Colombia; Donnellsmithia 2 spp. Mexico & N neoendemic genus native to Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia, and Venezuela; Enantiophylla monospecific Mexico & CAM endemic genus native to Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras; Niphogeton 18 spp. neoendemic genus of Costa Rica, Panama, and N Andes of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia; Oligocladus monospecific Argentina endemic native throughout Argentina; Pedinopetalum monospecific endemic of the Dominican Republic; Perissocoeleum 4 spp. narrow endemic genus of Colombia & Venezuela; Prionosciadium 1 sp. Mexico & Guatemala endemic genus native in Guatemala; Rhodosciadium 1 sp. Mexico & Guatemala endemic genus native to Guatemala; Tauschia 7-10 spp. native to Guatemala (2 endemics?), Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador.

Selineae Tribe—Selineae incertae sedis in the Neotropics

Paraselinum monospecific endemic of Peru and Bolivia.

Tordylieae Tribe—Tordyliinae Subtribe in the Neotropics

Tordylium 1 sp. intro to NE Argentina.

Tordylieae Tribe—Heracleinae Subtribe in the Neotropics

Heracleum 1 sp. intro to Haiti; Pastinaca 1 sp. intro to the Greater Antilles, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, C+S Chile, and Uruguay.

Apieae Tribe in the Neotropics

Ammi 2 spp. intro to Bermuda, Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola, Guatemala, El Salvador, Colombia, Argentina, S Brazil, and Uruguay; Anethum 1 sp. intro to Guatemala, Bahamas, Greater Antilles, Leeward & Windward Is., Ecuador, Peru, NE Argentina, and S+SE Brazil; Apium 9 spp., including 8 native to Bolivia, Chile (1 endemic), Juan Fernandez Is. (2 endemic), Desventurados Is, Argentina, Paraguay, S+SE Brazil, and Uruguay (1 endemic) and 1 intro to Guatemala, Bermuda, Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Trinidad-Tobago, Ecuador, and Peru; Cyclospermum 3 spp. native to CAM (except Belize), Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Galapagos, Peru, Bolivia, C+E+S Brazil, Paraguay, Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay, and intro to Bermuda, Greater Antilles (exc. Cayman Is.), Leeward & Windward Is., and Juan Fernandez Is., including 2 endemics of C-S SAM; Foeniculum 1 sp. intro in Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Greater Antilles (exc. Cayman Is.), Leeward & Windward Is., Guatemala, El Salvador, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Paraguay, Argentina, S+SE Brazil, and Uruguay; Petroselinum monospecific intro to Guatemala, El Salvador, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Peru, S Brazil, and Argentina; Ridolfia monospecific intro to Peru; Visnaga 1 sp. intro to Colombia, Peru, C Chile, N Argentina, Uruguay, and S Brazil.

Conieae Tribe in the Neotropics

Conium 1 sp. intro to Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Cayman Is., Hispaniola, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, S+SE Brazil, Argentina, and C+S Chile.

Coriandreae Tribe in the Neotropics

Coriandrum 1 sp. naturalized in Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Trinidad-Tobago, Juan Fernandez Is., Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, S Brazil, and Argentina.

Apioideae incertae sedis—American Relicts in the Neotropics

Myrrhidendron 5 spp. N neoendemic genus native to Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama (1 narrow endemic), the N Andes of Colombia (1 narrow endemic), and Ecuador, including 4 endemic to the neotropical zone; Neonelsonia monospecific neoendemic genus native to Guatemala and the Andes of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Peru; Notiosciadium monospecific narrow E SAM endemic genus of NE Argentina and Uruguay; Ottoa monospecific N neoendemic genus of Guatemala, Costa Rica, Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador; Spermolepis 1 sp. endemic throughout Argentina.

Neotropical Apiaceae—Saniculoideae Subfamily Genera

Saniculeae Tribe in the Neotropics

Eryngium 100+ spp. subcosmopolitan genus native throughout CAM, SAM, the Greater Antilles (exc. Cayman Is.), Leeward & Windward Is., and Trinidad-Tobago; Sanicula ~3 spp. native to CAM (exc. Belize), Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, C+S Chile, and NW+S Argentina.

Neotropical Apiaceae Unplaced Genera

Klotzschia 3 spp. endemic genus of Brazil.

Patagonian South America Apiaceae—Mackinlayoideae Subfamily Genera

Centella 1 sp. native to C+S Chile.

Patagonian South America Apiaceae—Azorelloideae Subfamily Genera

Asteriscium 3-4 spp. S SAM endemic genus native throughout Patagonia; Azorella 15-20 spp. native throughout Patagonia and the Falkland Is., including several endemics of the Andes and Patagonia steppe; Bolax 2 spp. Patagonian endemic genus of S Chile, S Argentina, and the Falkland Is.; Bowlesia 4 spp. former endemic genus native throughout Patagonia; Diposis 2 spp. SAM endemic genus native including 1 narrow endemic of S Argentina; Homalocarpus 1 sp. narrow endemic genus of N+C Chile found near N limit of Patagonia in SC Chile; Pozoa 1-2 spp. S SAM endemic genus native throughout the Patagonia region.

Patagonian South America Apiaceae—Apioideae Subfamily Genera

Oenantheae Tribe in Patagonia

Helosciadium 1 sp. intro to S Argentina; Lilaeopsis 1 sp. native throughout Patagonia and the Falkland Islands.

Scandiceae Tribe—Scandicinae Subtribe in Patagonia

Anthriscus 1 sp. introduced throughout Patagonia; Chaerophyllum 1-2 spp. native to S Chile, S Argentina, and the Falkland Islands; Osmorhiza 3 spp. native throughout the Patagonia region.

Scandiceae Tribe—Daucinae Subtribe in Patagonia

Daucus 2 spp., including 1 native and 1 intro throughout Patagonia.

Selineae Tribe—Arracaciinae Subtribe in Patagonia

Oligocladus monospecific Argentina endemic found in S Argentina.

Selineae Tribe—Selineae incertae sedis Subtribe in Patagonia

Levisticum monospecific intro to S Chile.

Tordylieae Tribe—Heracleinae Subtribe in Patagonia

Heracleum 1 sp. intro to S Argentina; Pastinaca 1 sp. intro to all of Patagonia.

Apieae Tribe in Patagonia

Ammi 1 sp. intro to S Chile and S Argentina; Apium 2 spp. native throughout Patagonia & the Falkland Islands; Cyclospermum 1 sp. native throughout Patagonia; Foeniculum 1 sp. intro throughout Patagonia; Petroselinum monospecific intro to S Argentina.

Conieae Tribe in Patagonia

Conium 1 sp. intro throughout Patagonia and the Falkland Islands.

Coriandreae Tribe in Patagonia

Coriandrum 1 sp. intro to S Argentina.

Apioideae incertae sedis—American Relicts in Patagonia

Spermolepis 1 sp. Argentina endemic genus native to S Argentina.

Patagonian South America Apiaceae—Saniculoideae Subfamily Genera

Saniculeae Tribe in Patagonia

Eryngium ~17 spp. native throughout Patagonia; Sanicula 2 spp. native throughout Patagonia.

Additional Information and References

• Visit Lyrae’s Dictionary of Botanical Terms to learn the terminology of botanists. Note that if you hover over most of the words in the articles, you can also get their definitions there.
• Willis, Lyrae – Unpublished. Plant Families of North America. This is where all of the family descriptions come from. Below should be most of my references for this, as well as from personal observations of Apiaceae in North America.
• Canadensys: Acadia University, Université de Montréal Biodiversity Centre, University of Toronto Mississauga, University of British Columbia. http://data.canadensys.net/explorer (accessed 2020 – current)
• Downie, S. R., Spalik, K., Katz-Downie, D. S., & Reduron, J.-P. (2010). Major clades within Apiaceae subfamily Apioideae as inferred by phylogenetic analysis of nrDNA ITS sequences. Plant Diversity and Evolution, 128(1–2), 111–136. DOI: 10.1127/1869-6155/2010/0128-0005.
• Delta: Watson, L., and Dallwitz, M.J. (1992 onwards). The Families of Flowering Plants: descriptions, illustrations, identification, and information retrieval. Version: 2nd May 2020. delta-intkey.com. Accessed spring through fall of 2020.
• Flora of North America. (1993+). https://floranorthamerica.org/Main_Page.
• GBIF.org (2020), GBIF Home Page. Available from: https://www.gbif.org
• Naturalista: CONABIO http://www.naturalista.mx Accessed 2020–current.
• Neotropikey: Milliken, W., Klitgård, B., & Baracat, A. eds. (2009 onwards). Neotropikey: Interactive key and information resources for flowering plants of the Neotropics. www.kew.org/neotropikey.com (accessed 2020 – current).
• Patagonia Wildflowers: Wildflower Identification Site. https://patagoniawildflowers.org/ Accessed throughout the fall of 2020.
• POWO (2019). Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet; http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/ Retrieved Winter 2020 – current.
• Stevens, P. F. (2001 onwards). Angiosperm Phylogeny Website. Version 14, July 2017 [more or less continuously updated since]. http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/research/APweb/
• USDA, NRCS. (2020). The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 2 June 2020). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC, USA; accessed throughout fall of 2020.
• WFO (2026): World Flora Online. Published on the Internet: http://www.worldfloraonline.org. Accessed Spring 2022 – current

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The information and the photos on this site are free to use for educational purposes, with proper attribution. For other uses, please contact me first.

You can cite this site as follows: Willis, Lyrae (2020+). Lyrae’s Nature Blog – Plant Families of North America. https://lyraenatureblog.com/. Accessed [Enter Date].

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