The Apiaceae are characterized by:

• Habit:  herbs (rarely shrubs or trees)
• Leaves:  alternate (opposite) or all basal; simple to variously lobed or compound; estipulate (rarely stipulate); sheathing petioles; internal oil tubules; strongly scented
• Plants:  synoecious (occasionally polygamous, rarely dioecious)
• Inflorescence:  compound umbels (rarely simple umbels, heads or axillary flowers); flowers perfect (rarely imperfect), regular or irregular
• Perianth:  5 sepals, small, often reduced or absent, distinct; 5 (0) petals, distinct
• Stamens:  5; distinct; alternate the petals
• Ovary:  2 connate carpels; inferior with 2 locules and 1 ovule per locule; 2 styles often subtended by bulging stylopodia
• Fruit:  schizocarp with 2 mericarps; ribbed; winged or samaroid or covered with tubercles or prickles