25. Limnosciadium Mathias and Constance
Two species,
central U.S.
Mathias and
Constance (1941a) segregated Limnosciadium from the superficially
similar Cynosciadium based on differences in leaf division patterns and
details of fruit morphology. They cited these genera as an example of
convergent vegetative morphologies in the Apiaceae. Steyermark (1963) disagreed
with their conclusions, treating only a single genus, but most botanists since
then have accepted the concept that, within the family, subtle differences in
the plane of fruit compression and the shape of the carpophore can provide
important clues to generic relationships and classification.