Wild Carrot.

En un coup d'œil

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Biennial

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

direct

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

100 cm tall

Growth rate

medium

Hardiness

USDA 3 to 9

Bloom time

Late spring to early autumn

Entretien

This plant thrives in sunny, open areas with well drained soil. It is very low maintenance, but keep an eye out for aphids or powdery mildew if the air circulation is poor. Ensure it has plenty of space to spread, as it can self seed quite freely.

Watering

Water deeply during dry spells to keep the soil lightly moist.

Feeding

Wild carrots generally do not require supplemental fertilizer.

Pruning

Deadhead spent flowers if you want to prevent unwanted self seeding.

Repotting

This plant is typically grown directly in the ground and does not require repotting.

Soil

Well drained, sandy or loamy soil

Soil pH

Neutral to slightly alkaline

Temperature

-20 to 35°C

Humidity

30 to 60%

Drought tolerance

high

Lifespan

Biennial, typically 2 years.

Deer and rabbits

moderate

Sécurité

People

The foliage can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals due to furanocoumarins.

Pets

This plant can cause skin irritation in some pets due to furanocoumarins in the leaves.

Children

The foliage can cause skin irritation if handled, and the root should never be consumed by children without expert verification to avoid toxic lookalikes.

Contact allergens

Handling the foliage in bright sunlight can lead to phytophotodermatitis, causing rashes or blisters.

Airborne allergens

The pollen is generally not considered a major allergen for most people.

Edibility

Wild carrot roots can be confused with poisonous hemlock, which is deadly, so never harvest unless you are 100 percent certain of identification.

Comment l'identifier

• Flat topped white flower clusters
• Finely divided fern like foliage
• Single dark purple central floret
• Hairy stems and leaves
• Taproot smells like garden carrots

Height

0.3 to 1m

Spread

0.2 to 0.4m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

white, 5 to 15cm

Fruit

brown, Autumn

Problèmes courants

• Carrot rust fly — The larvae tunnel into the roots, causing damage and decay.
• Powdery mildew — A white fungal growth appears on the leaves during humid conditions.

La cultiver

Propagation

seed

When to plant

Spring, Autumn

Overwintering

The plant survives winter as a low-growing rosette of leaves. No special protection is needed as it is quite hardy.

In containers

It can grow in deep containers, but it is rarely kept in pots due to its long taproot.

Planting aromatic herbs nearby helps confuse pests that target members of the carrot family.

Bonnes associations

• Onion — Onions help mask the scent of carrots from carrot rust flies.
• Leek — Leeks provide similar pest-deterring benefits as onions.
• Lettuce — They grow well together without competing for space or nutrients.

À éloigner de

• Dill — They can cross-pollinate and compete for similar resources.
• Fennel — Fennel produces allelopathic chemicals that can inhibit the growth of nearby carrots.

Espèces similaires

• Poison Hemlock — This is a deadly lookalike that lacks the hairy stems of wild carrot.
• Yarrow — Yarrow has similar flat-topped flower clusters but features fern-like foliage.

Science

Family

Apiaceae

Genus

Daucus

Order

Apiales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Europe and southwestern Asia.

Conservation

This plant is considered a widespread weed in many regions and is not of conservation concern.

It thrives in disturbed soils and open fields, acting as a pioneer species in early successional habitats.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, beneficial insect habitat

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

Uses

pollinator garden, wildflower meadow, cut flower

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Is it the same as a garden carrot?

It is the wild progenitor, but the root is much thinner and more fibrous than cultivated varieties.

How do I tell it apart from poison hemlock?

Poison hemlock has smooth, purple-spotted stems and lacks the fine hairs found on wild carrot stems.

D'où vient le nom

The genus name Daucus comes from the Greek word for carrot, while carota is the Latin term for the root. The common name Queen Annes Lace refers to the legend that Queen Anne pricked her finger while making lace, leaving a single drop of blood in the center of the flower.

Bon à savoir

• It is the wild ancestor of the common garden carrot.
• The plant is biennial, meaning it grows leaves the first year and flowers the second.
• It is often called Queen Annes Lace because the flower looks like delicate white lace.
• The root is edible but becomes woody and tough by the second year.