Daucus

Daucus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apiaceae, which includes the cultivated carrot and its wild relatives. The genus is distributed worldwide and includes about 60 species.

Description

The plants in the genus Daucus are annuals or biennials, rarely perennials. They are characterized by pinnately divided leaves, small white or yellow flowers arranged in umbels, and fruits that are dry and split into two halves when mature. The cultivated carrot, Daucus carota, is a biennial plant that produces a rosette of leaves and a taproot in the first year, and a flowering stem in the second year.

Species

The genus Daucus includes about 60 species. The most well-known species is Daucus carota, the cultivated carrot. Other species include Daucus pusillus, the American wild carrot, and Daucus glochidiatus, the Australian carrot.

Cultivation and uses

The cultivated carrot, Daucus carota, is grown worldwide for its edible taproot. The root is rich in beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, and is consumed raw or cooked. The leaves and seeds of the plant are also edible and are used in some culinary traditions.

See also

• Apiaceae
• Carrot
• Daucus carota
• Daucus pusillus
• Daucus glochidiatus

Daucus Resources
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