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