The correct spelling of the term 'Umbelliferous Plant' is often a cause of confusion among writers and speakers. It refers to the plants that bear a cluster of flowers on short stalks, resembling an umbrella. The word is pronounced as /ʌmˈbɛlɪf(ə)rəs plænt/ with the stress on the second syllable. The 'Umbelliferous' part comes from the Latin word 'umbella', meaning 'a little umbrella', which is why the word is spelled with a double 'l'. The correct spelling is essential for scientific communication and it is important to use the IPA phonetic transcription as a guide.
An umbelliferous plant is a term commonly used in botany to categorize a group of plants that bear flowers in an umbel-shaped inflorescence. This type of inflorescence consists of multiple flower stalks, known as pedicels, originating from a single point on the plant's stem, resembling an umbel or a flat-topped flower cluster. The main characteristic of umbelliferous plants is their arrangement of flowers, where each individual flower is borne on its own pedicel and all these pedicels radiate out from a common point, like the spokes of an umbrella.
The flowers that make up the umbelliferous inflorescence are typically small and have five petals, forming a symmetrical shape. The leaves of these plants are mostly compound and are often divided into numerous segments.
Members of the umbelliferous plant family, known as Apiaceae or Umbelliferae, include various well-known plants such as carrots, parsley, dill, fennel, and coriander. These plants are known for their culinary and medicinal uses and are widely cultivated around the world. Some umbelliferous plants are also poisonous and can cause harm if consumed in large quantities or if certain precautions are not taken.
Overall, the term umbelliferous plant refers to a diverse group of plants that share the characteristic of bearing flowers in an umbel-shaped inflorescence, with each flower attached to an individual stalk radiating from a common point.
The term "umbelliferous" is derived from the Latin word "umbella", which means "little umbrella" or "sunshade". The suffix "-ferous" comes from the Latin word "ferre", which means "to bear" or "to carry". Therefore, "umbelliferous" literally means "bearing umbels".
An "umbel" is a botanical term referring to a specific inflorescence type. It consists of a cluster of flowers arising from a common point, where each flower has its own stalk or pedicel, resulting in a flat or rounded arrangement that resembles an inverted umbrella or a sunshade. This inflorescence type is characteristic of plants in the family Apiaceae, also known as the carrot or parsley family.