Queen Anne's lace
Family
ApiaceaeScientific Name
Daucus carota
Synonyms (former Scientific Names):
Daucus carota ssp. carota
Daucus carota ssp. sativus
Habit
A basal rosette of leaves forms the first year followed by a tall branched stem the second year. During the second year the plant blooms through the summer.
Leaves
Leaves are basal with a few sessile, triangular or oblong, and twice pinnately compound. The leaf margins are hairy. Leaves are extremely lobed and resemble those of ragweed, poison hemlock, and common yarrow.
Identifying Characteristics
Many stems come from one rosette and are very hairy, vertically ribbed and hollow.
Flower Seed Head
Small white flowers are formed in a flat topped umbel like structure that can vary in width. At the center of the cluster of white flowers there is a single deep-purple flower. At maturity the flower cluster may close.
Seed Fruit
Fruit is a schizocarp; it contains two seeds. After maturity the two sides break apart, each half is rounded on one side. The coat is ridged with barbed prickles. It is yellowish to brown to gray in color.
Where Found
Wild carrot likes low maintenance areas such as pastures, landscapes, orchards and other perennial crops.
Growth Habit
upright and nonwoody
Thorns or Spines
not present
Approximate Flower Diameter
Varies:
pencil,
larger
Dominant Flower Color
white
Flower Symmetry
radial symmetery
Leaf Hairs
Varies:
has hairs,
no hairs
Leaf Shape
triangle
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Margin
lobed
Leaf Structure
pinnate
Leaf Stalk
shorter than leaf
Stem Hairs
Varies:
has hairs,
no hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Root Structure
taproot
Life Cycle
biennial
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Herb