Daucus carota aka Queen Anne's Lace

Daucus carota produces distinctive flat-topped compound umbels of tiny white flowers from May to October, with peak blooming in mid-summer to early autumn lasting about 2 months. Each umbel is 8-15 cm (3-6 inches) wide and contains numerous small white flowers 2-3 mm across. A characteristic feature is the single dark purple or reddish floret often found in the center of the umbel, which is thought to attract pollinators by mimicking an insect. After flowering, the umbel curls inward resembling a bird's nest, giving rise to one of its common names.

Daucus carota is pollinated by insects including small bees, wasps, flies, and beetles attracted to the white flower umbels. The plant is protandrous, meaning pollen is released before the female parts mature on each individual flower, which promotes cross-pollination. The central dark purple floret may serve as a visual attractant for pollinators. This makes it an excellent pollinator plant in gardens, supporting beneficial insect populations throughout the summer months.

Daucus carota has two main forms: the wild type (subsp. carota) and cultivated carrots (subsp. sativus). Wild carrot has thin, stringy, whitish roots, while domesticated carrots have been bred for sweet, tender, colorful roots. Popular cultivated varieties include Nantes (cylindrical, sweet), Danvers (tapered), Chantenay (short, stocky), and Imperator (long, slender). Modern varieties come in purple, orange, yellow, white, and red, with each color having subtly different flavors. The wild form is the ancestor of all cultivated carrots.

Daucus carota is propagated exclusively by seed. As a biennial, it produces a basal rosette the first year from seed, then flowers and sets seed the second year. One plant can produce anywhere from 1,000 to 40,000 seeds, which explains its aggressive spreading ability. Seeds are released from mid-summer to mid-winter as the dried umbels break apart. For cultivation, sow seeds directly in the garden in early spring or fall, as carrots do not transplant well due to their taproot. Seeds require consistent moisture and germinate best at 16-18°C (60-65°F).

Daucus carota is host to several insect pests. The Black Swallowtail butterfly lays eggs on the foliage, and its larvae (green caterpillars with black and yellow stripes) can defoliate plants. Other pests include Parsnip Webworm, Carrot Weevil, Carrot Rust Fly (larvae tunnel in roots), and Carrot Beetle. The plant is generally disease-resistant but can occasionally suffer from leaf blights in humid conditions. Despite these pests, wild carrot is hardy and rarely requires treatment. In fact, it serves as a beneficial trap crop for carrot pests in vegetable gardens.

Daucus carota is edible with all parts usable: roots, leaves, flowers, and seeds. The wild root is thin and stringy compared to cultivated carrots but can be cooked when young. Flowers can be french-fried for a carrot-flavored dish or used as garnish. Seeds serve as a flavorful addition to stews and soups. Young leaves can be eaten in small quantities. Dried roasted roots can be ground into powder for making a coffee substitute. However, the edibility rating is only 2 out of 5 due to the toughness of wild roots compared to cultivated varieties.

Daucus carota has been used medicinally for centuries, earning a medicinal rating of 3 out of 5. The plant acts as a diuretic, anthelmintic (anti-parasitic), carminative (relieves gas), and deobstruent. Traditional uses include treating digestive disorders, kidney and bladder problems, and dropsy (edema). Seed infusions address flatulent indigestion and menstrual irregularities. Raw grated root has been used to treat threadworms. However, the root can induce uterine contractions and should be avoided during pregnancy. Seeds may have abortifacient properties.

Daucus carota has significant commercial value beyond food and medicine, earning an other uses rating of 4 out of 5. Essential oil extracted from the seeds possesses an orris-like scent highly valued in perfumery. The oil is also used in cosmetic anti-wrinkle creams. The dried flower umbels are popular in floral arrangements and crafts, both fresh and dried, where they add delicate texture.

Daucus carota grows excellently outdoors and is hardy in USDA zones 4-11 and UK hardiness zone H5. Native to temperate Europe and Asia, it has naturalized throughout North America, thriving in fields, meadows, roadsides, and disturbed areas. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil but adapts to various conditions including clay, loam, sand, and rocky soils. The plant tolerates both drought and occasional moisture.

Daucus carota is a cool-season plant with optimal growth temperatures of 16-21°C (60-70°F). Seeds germinate best at 16-18°C (60-65°F). The plant tolerates frost and can survive winter temperatures in USDA zones 4-11, though the root is most tender after exposure to light frost. As a biennial, it requires winter cold (vernalization) to trigger flowering in the second year. Hot summer temperatures above 27°C (80°F) can cause roots to become woody and bitter in cultivated varieties, though wild plants are generally more heat-tolerant.

Daucus carota has a distinctive carrot-like scent, particularly noticeable when the foliage is crushed or bruised. The leaves and stems emit the familiar carrot aroma due to the presence of the same aromatic compounds found in cultivated carrots. The flowers, when fried, produce a carrot-flavored dish. Essential oil extracted from the seeds has an orris-like scent valued in perfumery, which is different from the typical carrot smell and more floral in nature. This dual scent profile makes the plant interesting for both culinary and cosmetic applications.

Daucus carota is not particularly demanding about humidity and adapts to a wide range of conditions. As a plant native to temperate Europe and naturalized across diverse North American climates from arid to humid regions, it tolerates both dry and humid air. The plant grows successfully in the relatively dry climates of the western United States as well as the humid conditions of the southeastern states. Adequate soil moisture is more important than air humidity for healthy growth.