Ammoselinum, commonly known as sandparsley, is a small genus of annual or biennial flowering plants in the carrot family (Apiaceae), order Apiales. The genus was described by John Torrey and Asa Gray and published in the Pacific Railroad Reports in 1855. It comprises three to four accepted species of low-growing herbaceous plants native to temperate regions of North and South America.
Members of Ammoselinum are characterised by the typical traits of the Apiaceae family: compound umbel inflorescences, divided or pinnate leaves, and small white flowers. The common name "sandparsley" reflects the tendency of several species to grow in sandy or dry open habitats across the central and southwestern United States and into South America.
The genus includes Ammoselinum butleri (Butler's sandparsley), Ammoselinum popei (plains sandparsley) — both native to the central and southern United States — and Ammoselinum rosengurttii, recorded from South America.
Etymology
The genus name Ammoselinum derives from the Greek ammos (sand) and selinon (parsley or celery), reflecting the sandy habitats in which these plants characteristically grow. This is consistent with the common name "sandparsley" used for the genus as a whole.
Distribution
Ammoselinum is native to temperate North and South America. In North America, species occur across the central and southwestern United States, with occurrence records documented from Texas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Ammoselinum rosengurttii extends the genus into South America.
