Daucus

Family: Apiaceae

Of this genus of more than 25 species of herbs from Europe, western Asia and northern Africa, only one is of horticultural importance. It has finely dissected foliage and compound umbels of small, white flowers, surrounded by bracts.

Species

D. carota, wild carrot or Queen Anne's lace, is a biennial with thick roots, and grows to 1 m (3 ft). It has attractive, lacy umbels of white flowers in summer and can be included in a mixed border or wild garden. The subspecies sativus has produced many cultivars. These are the carrots commonly grown in vegetable gardens.

Cultivation

Sow seed outdoors in spring in well-drained soil.

Climate

Grow Daucus as a biennial in all climates.