June EcoQuest

All About Apiaceae

Also known as umbellifers, members of this family have flowers arranged in umbels (flat-topped cluster of flowers) radiating from a singular point at the terminal end of the stem. These flowers have 5 petals, 5 stamens, and sometimes 5 sepals. Stems are most often hollow. The leaves are almost always alternate, feather-divided, and sheathed at the base. This family has many well-known edible species such as carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus), and parsley (Petroselinum crispum), as well as toxic species such as Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum), and phototoxic species such as Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum).

With nearly 3,780 species described worldwide, there are currently 18 species with research grade observations from the month of June on iNaturalist in NYC. See if you can find them all!