{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Carrot family
| image = HeracleumSphondyliumInflorescence.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = Inflorescence of [[Common Hogweed]] <br/>(''Heracleum sphondylium'')
| 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]]''
For complete list, see '''[[List of Apiaceae genera]]'''.
}}

The '''Apiaceae''' or '''Umbelliferae''' (both names are allowed by the [[International Code of Botanical Nomenclature|ICBN]]) is a family of usually aromatic [[plant]]s with hollow stems. It includes [[cumin]], [[parsley]], [[carrot]], [[dill]], [[caraway]], [[fennel]], and other relatives. It is a large family with about 300 [[genus|genera]] and more than 3,000 [[species]]. The earlier name Umbelliferae derives from the [[inflorescence]] being in the form of a compound "umbel".

The small flowers are radially symmetrical with 5 small [[sepal]]s, 5 [[petal]]s and 5 [[stamen]]s.

The family includes some highly [[toxic]] plants, such as [[Conium|hemlock]]. Many plants in this family, such as [[wild carrot]] have [[estrogen]]ic properties, and have been used as [[folk medicine]] for [[birth control]]. Most notable for this use is the extinct giant fennel, [[silphium]]. The cultivated plants in this category are almost all considered good [[companion plant]]s, as the umbrella of tiny flowers attracts omnivorous [[beneficial insect]]s, especially parasitic wasps and predatory flies, which then will hunt insect pests on nearby crops.

The family is closely related to [[Araliaceae]] and the boundaries between these families remain unclear. Some recent systems include Araliaceae in an expanded Apiaceae but this has not been widely followed. ''Hydrocotyle'' and ''Trachymene'', traditionally included in Apiaceae, are now generally included in Araliaceae.

Notable members include ''Anethum graveolens'' - [[Dill]], ''Anthriscus cerefolium'' - [[Chervil]], ''Angelica'' spp. - [[Angelica]], ''Apium graveolens'' - [[Celery]], ''Arracacia xanthorrhiza'' - [[Arracacha]], ''Carum carvi'' - [[Caraway]], ''Centella asiatica'' - [[Gotu Kola]] (pennywort), ''Conium maculatum'' - [[Conium|Poison hemlock]], ''Coriandrum sativum'' - [[Coriander]], ''Cuminum cyminum'' - [[Cumin]], ''Daucus carota'' - [[Carrot]], ''Eryngium'' spp. - [[Sea holly]], ''Foeniculum vulgare'' - [[Fennel]], ''Myrrhis odorata'' - [[Cicely]], ''Pastinaca sativa'' - [[Parsnip]], ''Petroselinum crispum'' - [[Parsley]], ''Pimpinella anisum'' - [[Anise]], ''Levisticum officinale'' - [[Lovage (plant)|Lovage]]

[[Image:Koeh-177.jpg|thumb|left|''Chaerophyllum bulbosum'']]
[[Image:Apiaceae Pimpinella anisum.jpg|thumb|Anise (''Pimpinella anisum'') <br /> from ''Medical botany by William Woodville''. London, James Phillips, 1793]]

== See also ==
* [[List of culinary herbs and spices]]
* [[List of culinary vegetables]]
* [[List of plants with edible leaves]]

==External links==
*[http://herbarium.uvsc.edu/Virtual/default.asp?table=Family&f=310&t=Apiaceae UVSC Herbarium - Apiaceae]
*[http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/URC/frames.html?http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/URC/urchomepage.html Umbellifer Resource Centre]
*[http://www.umbelliferae.cs.msu.su/en_index.php?menu_item_id=4 Umbellifer Information Server]

[[Category:Plant families]]
[[Category:Apiaceae|*]]

[[bg:Сенникоцветни]]
[[ca:Apiàcia]]
[[cs:Miříkovité]]
[[da:Skærmplante-familien]]
[[de:Doldenblütler]]
[[es:Apiaceae]]
[[eo:Apiacoj]]
[[fa:چتریان]]
[[fr:Apiaceae]]
[[it:Apiaceae]]
[[he:סוככיים]]
[[la:Apiaceae]]
[[lv:Čemurzieži]]
[[lt:Salieriniai]]
[[hu:Ernyősök]]
[[nl:Schermbloemenfamilie]]
[[ja:セリ科]]
[[no:Skjermplantefamilien]]
[[nn:Skjermplantefamilien]]
[[pl:Selerowate]]
[[pt:Apiaceae]]
[[ro:Apiaceae]]
[[qu:Raqacha yura rikch'aq ayllu]]
[[ru:Зонтичные]]
[[fi:Sarjakukkaiskasvit]]
[[sv:Flockblommiga växter]]
[[vi:Họ Hoa tán]]
[[te:అంబెల్లిఫెరె]]
[[tr:Maydanozgiller]]
[[ur:کرفسان]]
[[zh:伞形科]]
{{unreferenced|date=August 2007}}