Wild Celery
Apium graveolens
Observed in a moist swale in the ponderosa forest of Upper East Verde watershead just below the Mogollon Rim, Gila Co., Arizona, USA. August 2010.
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FLOWERS:
Many small white flowers arranged in an umbel (umbrella-shaped). The fruit
developes below the petals from an inferior ovary.
LEAVES: Leaves are pinately compound with a long petiole. The petioles
of these escaped plants are considerably narrower than cultivated celery.
ANNUAL: The below ground portion might survive a mild winter, but the
above ground portion is entirely herbaceous.
RANGE: Many locations within Arizona's ponderosa woodlands were once
occupied by small homesteads and farms. The buildings are gone but escaped
garden plants remain. Some species may become permanent components of the
flora.
FRUIT: The small slightly flattened fruits appear below the petals and
split into two one-seeded halves. Crushing them releases the aromatic celery flavor.
ARMED. The leaves and flower bracts have slender, sharp prickles.
Apiaceae -- Celery Family
More Information:
- Southwest Environemtnal Information Network
- Wikipedia
- USDA Plant Profile
- ITIS Taxonomic Report
- Google Images
- Google Scholar Literature Search