umbela

Umbela is a botanical term used to describe a type of inflorescence, more commonly called an umbel. It features a cluster of flowers whose short stalks radiate from a common point at the end of a central stalk, producing an umbrella-like silhouette. Umbels are especially associated with the Apiaceae family but occur in other plant groups as well.

Morphology and structure: The inflorescence is borne on a main stalk called the peduncle. Individual flowers attach via short pedicels that originate from the same point. Umbels can be simple, with roughly equal-length pedicels, or compound, in which first-order stalks bear secondary umbels. The overall shape is often flat-topped or rounded, and many umbels are subtended by protective bracts or an involucre.

Flowers and ecology: Flowers in umbels are typically small and actinomorphic, often white, yellow, or greenish. They are usually bisexual and designed to attract a range of pollinators, including bees and hoverflies. The umbrella-like arrangement provides a broad, accessible display that facilitates pollination.

Examples and distribution: Umbels are characteristic of many culinary and medicinal herbs, such as carrot (Daucus carota), celery (Apium graveolens), parsley (Petroselinum crispum), dill (Anethum graveolens), and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare). They occur in temperate regions worldwide and in various habitats where these plants grow.

Etymology and taxonomy: The name derives from Latin umbellus, meaning “little shadow” or “little umbrella.” The family Apiaceae has also been called Umbelliferae in older classifications. In some texts, umbela is noted as a variant spelling or regional usage of the same concept.