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Daucus carota - Wild Carrot, Queen Anne’s Lace

photo by  WNY PRISM

June 5, 2015

Close up Photo

photo by  WNY PRISM

June 5, 2015

photo by  WNY PRISM

June 5, 2015

    Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota) is in the Carrot family and is native to Europe. This plant is ancestor of the garden carrot. It is a common plant in dry fields, ditches, and open areas. Queen Anne’s Lace grows  up to four feet tall. It is best known for its flowers, which are white and tiny, blooming in lacy, flat-topped clusters from May to September. Each little flower has a dark, purplish

center.

    Queen Anne’s Lace is an invasive weed because it crowds and competes with native plants. Some animals have benefited from it. Caterpillars of the Eastern Black Swallowtail butterfly eat the leaves, bees and other insects drink the nectar.

    Queen Anne’s Lace  is very similar to Giant Hogweed (a nasty, toxic wildflower). The stalk and flowers resembles Queen Anne’s Lace. Brushing against the bristles can cause a severe reaction.