Definition

Noun 1. A taxonomic order of flowering plants: "Umbellales" is the former botanical name for an order of plants characterized primarily by having their flowers arranged in umbels or corymbs. This order historically included families such as the Umbelliferae (now Apiaceae, e.g., carrots, parsley) and Cornaceae (e.g., dogwoods).

Usage Notes

• Scientific/Historical Term: The term "Umbellales" is primarily used in historical botanical classification and scientific literature. In modern taxonomic systems (e.g., the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group system), this order is generally not recognized, and its constituent families are placed elsewhere.
• Formal Context: Its use is confined to formal, academic discussions of plant taxonomy and classification history.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The order Umbellales was distinguished by its characteristic inflorescence structure.
  • In older classification schemes, the carrot family belonged to the Umbellales.

Advanced Usage

• Taxonomic Context: The discussion of "Umbellales" often involves comparing historical and contemporary phylogenetic classifications.
  • The circumscription of the Umbellales has been subject to significant revision with the advent of molecular phylogenetic studies.

Variants and Related Words

• Umbellifer (n): A common name for a plant belonging to the family Apiaceae (formerly Umbelliferae), which was a core family within the Umbellales.
  • Parsley, fennel, and hemlock are all umbellifers.
• Umbelliferous (adj): Of or relating to the family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae).
  • The plant has typical umbelliferous flowers.
• Umbel (n): A flower cluster in which stalks of nearly equal length spring from a common center and form a flat or curved surface, characteristic of the plants in this group.
  • The plant is easily identified by its distinctive umbel.

Synonyms

• Apiales: In many modern taxonomic systems, the plants once grouped under Umbellales are now largely included within the order Apiales. (Note: This is a close conceptual synonym in modern contexts, not an exact one.)

Notes on Meaning

• Historical vs. Modern Classification: The primary meaning of "Umbellales" is tied to a specific, now largely obsolete, system of plant classification. Its definition is fixed within that historical context.

Noun

1. plants having umbels or corymbs of uniovulate flowers; includes the Umbelliferae (chiefly herbs) and Cornaceae (chiefly trees or shrubs)