Wild Carrot

Biological Name:

Daucus carota (Wild-Carrot)

Natural Habitat:

Wild-Carrot is a type of flowering plant that is native to Europe and Asia. It typically grows in meadows, fields, and other open, sunny areas, and it is often found in temperate regions.

Description:

Wild-Carrot is a biennial herb that is native to Europe and Asia. It has small white flowers and lacy fern-like leaves. It is often found in moist shaded areas and is used in traditional medicine.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can you eat a wild carrot?
A: It was introduced to North America as a root vegetable and medicinal herb, has become naturalized and is now found in every state. This is a horticultural species that is still intentionally planted with edible cultivars and occasionally included in wildflower mixes. Wild carrot should not be harvested and ingested.
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Q: What looks like wild carrot but is poisonous?
A: During the spring, we often receive questions about poison hemlock (Canium maculatum). This plant is in the carrot family and can be confused with related plants, such as wild carrot (Daucus carota). However, telling the two species apart is critical.
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Q: What part of wild carrot do you eat?
A: A: Queen Anne’s Lace: Also known as the wild carrot, Queen Anne’s lace is in full bloom across much of \”temperate\” North America, Europe and Asia right now. The white flower head is edible raw or lightly battered and fried. The seeds work well in soups and stews and can flavor tea, too.
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Q: Where do wild carrots grow?
A: Habitat. Wild carrot is found in fields, pastures, vegetable crops, orchards, roadsides and other disturbed places. It is typically found in sandy or gravelly soils.
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Q: What is wild carrot good for?
A: Wild carrot is used for urinary tract problems including kidney stones, bladder problems, water retention, and excess uric acid in the urine; and also for gout, a painful joint problem caused by too much uric acid. The seed oil is used for severe diarrhea (dysentery), indigestion, and intestinal gas.
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Q: What part of wild carrots are edible?
A: The flowers of the wild carrot, or Queen Anne’s Lace, are as edible as the stringy root — but the culinary gem is its fruit.
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Q: Does wild carrot taste good?
A: Although the leaves and roots of Wild Carrot are similar to Hemlock the flowers and forked leaf bracts under the flowers will save confusion with Hemlock and other Umbellifers. The carrot itself is tough and stringy but has a strong carrot flavour so is best cooked in soups or stews and removed before consumption.
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Q: How do you use wild carrot?
A: In foods, wild carrot oil is used to flavor alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, frozen dairy desserts, candy, baked goods, gelatins, puddings, meat and meat products, condiments, relishes, and soups. In manufacturing, wild carrot seed oil is used as a fragrance in soaps, detergents, creams, lotions, and perfumes.
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Q: What is the healthiest carrot?
A: Though all types of carrots are nutritious and healthy, purple carrots contain powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins that have impressive effects on your health. Eating purple carrots may improve heart health, encourage weight loss, and reduce inflammation and your risk of certain cancers.
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Q: Should I pull wild carrot?
A: Here are some tips on getting rid of wild carrots in the garden: Hand-pull plants before they flower. Try not to leave small pieces of the root in the soil. However, the roots will eventually die if the tops are continually removed.
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Q: What’s the difference between wild carrots and regular carrots?
A: The most remarkable difference between wild and cultivated carrot was the color of taproot ( Figure 3A). Cultivated carrot contains high levels of carotene in taproot while the wild carrot has none. …
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Q: Q: Is wild carrot the same as Queen Anne’s lace?
A: Queen Anne’s lace, also known as wild carrot, is a wildflower herb found in many parts of the US, yet it is originally from Europe. While most places now consider this plant an invasive weed, it can actually be an attractive addition to your home wildflower garden.
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Q: Is the wild carrot flower poisonous?
A: While most people are unaffected by wild carrot, some sensitive individuals can develop a rash if exposed to the sap, as it has some of the same compounds as wild parsnip and giant hogweed. The plant is also slightly toxic to livestock and can taint milk if cows the milk is from ingest large amounts.
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Q: What part of wild carrot is edible?
A: The flowers of the wild carrot, or Queen Anne’s Lace, are as edible as the stringy root — but the culinary gem is its fruit.
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Q: What does wild carrot taste like?
A: Description/Taste The edible tap root is white and smells like a carrot, ranging from 5-20 centimeters long. The edible leaves also have a flavor and scent similar to carrot. Wild carrot root is chewier and stronger flavored than conventional carrots, and is best when collected late fall through spring.
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Q: How can you tell the difference between wild carrot and poison hemlock?
A: Young poison-hemlock plants somewhat resemble carrot plants, but can be distinguished by the lack of hairs on the stems and the purple-reddish blotches on the stems.
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Q: Is wild carrot an invasive species?
A: Wild carrot is an invasive, noxious weed that can produce a large number of seeds. The seeds are often rapidly dispersed by attaching to animal fur or clothing, crowding out native plants.
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Q: What is a wild carrot called?
A: Daucus carota, whose common names include wild carrot, bird’s nest, bishop’s lace, and Queen Anne’s lace (North America), is a white, flowering plant in the family Apiaceae, native to temperate regions of Europe and southwest Asia, and naturalized to North America and Australia.
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Q: Is wild carrot toxic to animals?
A: If your cat comes into contact with this noxious weed and consumes it or experiences exposure through the skin, seek veterinary attention. While it is usually not deadly, wild carrot poisoning can cause serious tissue damage, especially in a cat, due to their small size and increased susceptibility to poisoning.
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Q: Are wild carrots actually carrots?
A: The carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus) is a root vegetable, typically orange in color, though purple, black, red, white, and yellow cultivars exist, all of which are domesticated forms of the wild carrot, Daucus carota, native to Europe and Southwestern Asia.
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About the author

Samuel is a gardening professional and enthusiast who has spent over 20 years advising homeowners and farm owners on weed identification, prevention and removal. He has an undergraduate degree in plant and soil science from Michigan State University.