Daucus carota

Daucus carota (also known as the wild carrot, bird's nest, bishop's lace, or Queen Anne's lace) 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.

Description

The Daucus carota is a biennial plant, which grows a rosette of leaves in the spring and summer, while building up the stout taproot, which stores large amounts of sugars for the plant to flower in the second year. The flowering stem grows up to a meter tall, with an umbel of white flowers that may turn pink in full bloom. It is not frost tender and is pollinated by bees.

Uses

The Daucus carota is cultivated for its edible root. The domestic carrot has been selectively bred for its greatly enlarged and more palatable, less woody-textured taproot. The wild ancestors of the carrot are likely to have come from Iran and Afghanistan, which remain the centre of diversity of Daucus carota, the wild carrot.

Cultivation

Daucus carota is typically grown in full sun to partial shade, and prefers well-drained soil. The plant is typically sown between March and June in the northern hemisphere. In milder climates, it can be sown in the autumn for an early spring crop.

Health Benefits

The root of the Daucus carota is rich in beta-carotene, a compound that is converted into vitamin A in the liver. It also contains antioxidants, which may protect against damage to cells.

See Also

• Carrot
• Apiaceae
• Beta-carotene
• Vitamin A

References

Daucus carota Resources
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