umbel

A racemose inflorescence in which the flowers are borne on undivided pedicels originating from a common node on the main axis. The outermost flowers are borne on the longest pedicels so that the whole inflorescence is flat topped and gives the appearance of an umbrella. Composite umbels may be borne on branched pedicels so that numerous smaller umbels constitute the whole inflorescence. These inflorescences are typical of the Umbeiliferae and provide landing platforms for pollinating insects.