Wild Carrot (Queen Anne's Lace)
Daucus carota · Herbaceous Biennial (Not a tree species, often misidentified due to height)
Plant Family
Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)
Tree Category
Wildflower / Herb / Weed
Variety / Cultivar
Daucus carota subsp. carota
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9.
About This Tree
An upright herbaceous plant not to be confused with a tree. It features flat-topped white flower umbels often with a single dark red or purple floret in the center. The plant grows from a tough white taproot that smells like a culinary carrot.
Leaf Characteristics
Bipinnate, finely divided, fern-like, and hairy. Alternate arrangement on the stem. Leaves are bright green and triangular in overall outline.
Bark Characteristics
Does not have bark; features green, ribbed, and bristly-haired stems that can become slightly woody at the base in late summer.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and Southwest Asia; naturalized in North America and Australia.
Growing Season
Biennial cycle. Basal rosette in year one; flowering, seeding, and death in year two. Blooms late spring to late summer.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade. Prefers well-drained soil and is highly drought-tolerant once the taproot is established.
Mature Size
Mature height of 1 to 4 feet; spread of 1 to 2 feet. Rapid growth rate during the second year flowering cycle.
Special Characteristics
Distinctive bird's nest shape when flower heads dry and curl inward. Often used as an ornamental in wildflower meadows but can be invasive in some regions. Note: Some lookalikes like Hemlock are highly toxic.
Wildlife & Ecology
Critical host plant for the Black Swallowtail butterfly caterpillar. Provides nectar for bees, wasps, and other beneficial pollinators. Seeds are consumed by various small birds.