Licinum

Licinum is a genus of small, herbaceous plants belonging to the family Apiaceae. These plants are native to the Mediterranean region, with a distribution extending into parts of North Africa and the Middle East. Licinum species are typically characterized by their delicate, feathery foliage and small, inconspicuous flowers. The leaves are usually pinnately compound, meaning they are divided into smaller leaflets. The inflorescence, or flower cluster, is generally an umbel, a characteristic feature of the Apiaceae family, consisting of multiple small flowers radiating from a central point.

The flowers of Licinum are typically white or pale yellow. They are often quite small and may not be the most prominent feature of the plant. The fruits are schizocarps, which split into two smaller, single-seeded units called mericarps. These plants are often found in dry, open habitats, such as grasslands, rocky slopes, and disturbed ground. They are generally not cultivated and are primarily of interest to botanists and plant enthusiasts. Their ecological role often involves contributing to ground cover in their native environments. Identification of specific Licinum species can sometimes be challenging due to their small size and subtle morphological differences.