umbel

noun um·bel \ ˈəm-bəl \

|Updated on: 27 Jun 2018

Definition of umbel

: a racemose inflorescence typical of the carrot family in which the pedicels arise from about the same point to form a flat or rounded flower cluster — see inflorescence illustration

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Recent Examples of umbel from the Web

Closer investigation showed them to be black swallowtail butterfly larvae, also known as parsley worms, which feed on the foliage of umbels — plants in the carrot/parsley/dill/fennel family with short flower stalks that spread from a common point.

— sally mccabe, Philly.com, "June 15-21: In the garden, it's time to…," 15 June 2018
Cow parsley got a pass because of its irresistible floating clouds of umbels, but we were instructed to cut its numbers in half.

— amy merrick, WSJ, "5 Lessons From the Punk Rockers of Gardening," 26 Apr. 2018
Its white flowers bloom in June or July and form an umbel pattern marked by several small blooms spreading out from a single point.

— donna vickroy, Daily Southtown, "Column: Don't let wild parsnip, giant hogweed, poison ivy wreck your summer," 28 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'umbel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.