Aramista

Aramista is a genus of plants in the family Apiaceae. The genus was described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 and is native to the Mediterranean region. Plants in the genus Aramista are herbaceous perennials with erect stems and compound leaves. The flowers are small and white, borne in umbels. The fruit is a schizocarp, divided into two mericarps.

The genus Aramista contains a single species, Aramista vulgaris. It is a common weed in cultivated fields and along roadsides throughout the Mediterranean region. The plant is also known by its common name, wild carrot. In some parts of Europe, Aramista vulgaris is used as a medicinal herb, although its efficacy has not been scientifically proven. The roots are edible when cooked, but are often tough and unpalatable.

Aramista vulgaris is a diploid species with a chromosome number of 2n = 20. It is pollinated by insects, and its seeds are dispersed by wind and animals. The plant is tolerant of a wide range of soil types and climatic conditions. It is a common component of the flora of grasslands, scrublands, and open woodlands. The plant is also found in disturbed habitats such as cultivated fields, waste ground, and roadsides.

The genus Aramista is closely related to the genus Daucus, which includes the cultivated carrot. The two genera are distinguished by the presence of a single, prominent ridge on the mericarps of Aramista, as opposed to the multiple ridges found in Daucus. Despite their close relationship, the two genera are not known to hybridize.