an inflorescence, characteristic of umbelliferous plants, in which the flowers arise from the same point in the main stem and have stalks of the same length, to give a cluster with the youngest flowers at the centre
Derived forms
umbellate (ˈʌmbɪlɪt, -ˌleɪt), umbellar (ʌmˈbɛlə) or umbellated (ˈumbelˌlated)
adjective
umbellately (ˈumbellately)
adverb
Word origin
C16: from Latin umbella a sunshade, from umbra shade
umbel in American English
(ˈʌmbəl)
noun
1.
a cluster of flowers with stalks of nearly equal length which spring from about the same point, like the ribs of an umbrella
see also inflorescence
adjective
2.
designating a family (Apiaceae, order Apiales) of hollow-stemmed, herbaceous, dicotyledonous plants having umbels, including celery and parsley