Term: Apiaceae

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This family of plants, containing over 3700 species, is known for hollow stems and umbel-shaped inflorescences. Species in this family include celery, parsley, dill, carrot, chervil, coriander (or cilantro), culantro, fennel, cumin, cicely, anise, asafoetida, caraway, lovage, and parsnips. The leaves, stems, taproots, and/or seeds of these species have culinary uses as herbs, spices, or vegetables. Most prefer cool-weather growing conditions. Flowers almost always have 5 petals, can be white, yellow, purple, or pink in color, and tend to be very attractive to beneficial insect pollinators.

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