In botany, an umbel is an inflorescence that consists of a number of short flower stalks (called pedicels) that spread from a common point, somewhat like umbrella ribs. The word was coined in botanical usage in the 1590s, from Latin umbella "parasol, sunshade". The arrangement can vary from being flat-topped to almost spherical. Umbels can be simple or compound. The secondary umbels of compound umbels are known as umbellules A small umbel is called an umbellule.
A compressed cyme, which is a determinate inflorescence, is called umbelliform if it resembles an umbel.
Gallery
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File:Conioselinum pacificum 3573.JPG|Compound umbel of a hemlock-parsley, Conioselinum pacificum (Apiaceae)
File:Daucus carota May 2008-1 edit.jpg|Compound umbel of a wild carrot, Daucus carota (Apiaceae)
File:Fatsia japonica1.jpg|Simple umbel of Fatsia japonica (Araliaceae)
File:Primula veris (inflorescense).jpg|Involucrate simple umbels of Primula veris
File:Pelargonium zonale umbel.jpg|Umbel of a Pelargonium zonale
File:Daucus carota (Queen Anne's lace) umbel down view.jpg|alt=Daucus carota (Queen Anne's lace) umbel down view|Daucus carota umbel down view
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