As to the general characters of the plants, it may also be noted that the stems of the Umbelliferæ are jointed, and frequently hollow; also that the leaves are pinnately divided, and often decompound (compound, with compound leaflets).
The Wild Parsnip.
Our first example of this family is the common Hemlock (Conium maculatum) of hedges and waste ground—a very graceful plant, with a much-branched stem that grows from two to six or more feet in height. It is distinguished by a fœtid odour and poisonous properties. Its stem is slender in proportion to the height, furrowed, smooth, and spotted with purple or red. The flowers are white, with hardly a trace of a calyx, and arranged in compound umbels, with three small bracts on one side of the secondary umbels. The fruit is short, swollen, and slightly flattened laterally; and the carpels, without vittæ, have each five thick, waved ridges. The Hemlock flowers during June and July.
The Cow Parsnip or Hogweed.
Several of the common umbelliferous plants are called the Fool's Parsley by those who are unable to distinguish between species, but this name is correctly applied only to Æthusa cynapium, a smooth, leafy plant, with an unpleasant odour and poisonous properties. The plant grows from a foot to eighteen inches high, flowers during July and August, and is common in cultivated ground as well as in wastes and by waysides. It may be recognised at once by the help of our illustration; but we call special attention to the three, long, drooping bracts on the outer side of each secondary umbel.
On roadside banks, particularly in chalky districts, we may often meet with the Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa). This is an erect, downy plant, with a tap root; and angular, hollow stem from two to three feet high. Its leaves are pinnate, glossy above and downy beneath, with five or seven ovate, sessile, cut and serrate leaflets, and sheathing petioles. The umbels are terminal, without primary or secondary bracts; and the flowers are small, of a bright yellow colour, producing flattened, winged fruits. The flowers bloom during July and August.
The Cow Parsnip or Hogweed (Heracleum Sphondylium) is somewhat similar in general appearance, but is much stouter, and grows to a height of four or five feet. Its stem is hairy and channelled; and the leaves have a few broad, lobed, serrate leaflets with a rough, hairy surface. The flowers, which bloom during July and August, are of a reddish white colour, and have unequal petals.