Apiastrum

Apiastrum is a small genus of flowering plants belonging to the carrot family (Apiaceae). It consists of one or two species, native to western North America, particularly California. These are annual herbs characterized by their delicate, branching stems and small, white or greenish-white flowers arranged in compound umbels. The plants are often found in dry, open habitats such as grasslands and chaparral. Apiastrum species are relatively unassuming plants, playing a role in local ecosystems by providing nectar and pollen for insects. The taxonomy of the genus has seen some debate, with some botanists considering certain populations as varieties or subspecies of a single species, while others recognize them as distinct species. Detailed morphological and molecular studies are ongoing to clarify the exact relationships within the Apiastrum genus.