umbel

noun

um·​bel ˈəm-bəl How to pronounce umbel (audio)
: 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

Examples of umbel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Winter Interest Brown is a color, too, and those stems and umbels can be very architectural in the doldrums of winter. Benjamin Vogt, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Oct. 2023 Huachuca water umbel threatened by disappearing wetlands Once a flourishing part of extensive riparian habitats in southeastern Arizona and northern Sonora, Mexico, the Huachuca water umbel has been reduced to a handful of discontinuous clumps in a few Southwest wetlands. Jake Frederico, The Arizona Republic, 3 Mar. 2023 The San Pedro River, one of the umbel's main habitats, is drying up due to excessive groundwater pumping and population growth in southeastern Arizona. Jake Frederico, The Arizona Republic, 3 Mar. 2023 The workers have widened dirt roads, bulldozed dozens of oak trees and blocked ephemeral streams important to plant species of concern, such as the Huachuca water umbel. Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 1 Dec. 2022 Come July or early August, the plant is covered by zillions of tiny white flowers arranged in umbrella-like affairs called umbels. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 17 Apr. 2020 Clumps of Huachuca water umbel, an endangered plant with slender leaves, grow in wetlands by the river — one of more than 600 species of plants found along the San Pedro. AZCentral.com, 5 Dec. 2019 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, 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, 26 Apr. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'umbel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin umbella, from Latin, umbrella — more at umbrella

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of umbel was in 1597

Dictionary Entries Near umbel

Cite this Entry

“Umbel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/umbel. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

umbel

noun
um·​bel ˈəm-bəl How to pronounce umbel (audio)
: a flat-topped or ball-shaped flower cluster (as in the carrot) in which the stalks of the individual flowers all grow from about the same point on the main stem like the ribs of an umbrella

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