What is Apiaceae?
{{Taxobox | name = Umbellifers | image = AngelicaSylvestrisInflorescence.jpg | image_width = 300px | image_caption = Inflorescence of wild [[Angelica]] <br />(''Angelica sylvestris'') | regnum = [[Plant]]ae | divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]] | classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]] | ordo = [[Apiales]] | familia = '''Apiaceae''' (or '''Umbelliferae''') | familia_authority = [[John Lindley|Lindl.]] | type_genus = ''[[Apium]]'' | type_genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]] | subdivision_ranks = [[Genus|Genera]] | subdivision = including: * ''[[Anethum]]'' * ''[[Anthriscus]]'' * ''[[Angelica]]'' * ''[[Apium]]'' * ''[[Arracacia]]'' * ''[[Carum]]'' * ''[[Centella]]'' * ''[[Conium]]'' * ''[[Coriandrum]]'' * ''[[Cuminum]]'' * ''[[Daucus]]'' * ''[[Eryngium]]'' * ''[[Foeniculum]]'' * ''[[Levisticum]]'' * ''[[Myrrhis]]'' * ''[[Pastinaca]]'' * ''[[Petroselinum]]'' * ''[[Pimpinella]]'' }} '''Umbellifers''' ('''Umbelliferae'''/'''Apiaceae''') are [[angiosperm]]s including [[cumin]], [[parsley]], [[carrot]], [[coriander]]/[[cilantro]], [[dill]], [[caraway]], [[fennel]], [[parsnip]], [[celery]], [[anise]], and other relatives. It is a large family with about 300 [[genera]] and more than 3,000 [[species]]. It is the 16th-largest family of flowering plants, with more than 3,700 [[species]] in 434 [[genus|genera]].<ref name=Stevens>Stevens P.F. (2001 onwards). [http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/research/APweb/ Angiosperm Phylogeny Website]. Version 9, June 2008.</ref> There are a small number of poisonous plants. [[Hemlock]] has a [[paralysis|paralysing]] effect. There are a lot of phototoxic species. Light causes changes which produce toxic chemicals. Phototoxicity causes a chemically induced skin irritation. It needs light, and does not involve the [[immune system]]. It is a type of photosensitivity. == Flower format == The defining characteristic of the family is the [[inflorescence]]. The flowers usually grouped in terminal umbels, as shown in the photograph. They are usually compound, and called umbelliform cymes.