Creeping perennial herbs, rooting at nodes or erect small shrubs (not in Australia). Leaves simple, exstipulate. Inflorescence axillary, a simple umbel, or 2–3 times compound; bracts few or absent. Flowers bisexual, lateral ones sometimes male; sepals forming a minutely lobed persistent ring, or absent; petals broad, obtuse; nectary flat. Fruit laterally compressed; mericarps convex, prominently 3–5-ribbed with reticulate connections; carpophore undivided, persistent.
About 40 species, mainly in the Southern Hemisphere with 1 widely distributed species extending to Australia.
Source:
Duretto, M.F. (1999). Apiaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 4, Cornaceae to Asteraceae, pp. 256–258. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
