Queen Anne’s Lace
(Daucus carota)
Needle-like
the water falls
rustling the leaves
with its steady stream
and the earth
(too full to hold anymore)
releases steam.
The day is terribly grey.
But the rain
is warm and sweet
as it rolls
down my nose
and drips
on my tongue
while the blossoms brighten
without the sun:
a drop of purple
in a cluster of white.
The petals turn down
and the centres sit high,
like floral umbrellas
made for the weather.
Suzanne Stewart
Queen Anne’s Lace, Wild Carrot, or Daucus carota
Introduction
This plant is called Queen Anne’s lace because of the beautiful, flat, white, lace-like flowers that it produces in August. It is also called wild carrot because it is closely related to the domestic carrot that we grow in our garden. In fact, wild carrot and domestic carrots are actually the same species and can cross-pollinate. Wild carrots are flowering plants, which means they belong to the group of plants that produces flowers and then develops fruits. Queen Anne’s lace is native to Europe and was introduced to Nova Scotia.
Appearance and Habitat
Queen Anne’s lace is a biennial plant, which means it takes two years before it flowers and goes to seed. In the first year, the plant looks like the carrots we grow and harvest in our gardens. It has feathery green leaves growing from the centre. In the second year, the plant grows a thick stem, which grows up to a metre high. At the end of this stalk, the plant develops a group of flowers called an umbel. Umbels are collections of flowers that are usually circular and somewhat flat. The individual flowers of the umbels are white and have four petals. At the center of the umbel there is often a single red flower that attracts pollinating insects. As each flower of the umbel develops into a seed, the umbel starts to curl upwards and become concave while the seeds develop. The seeds can be spread by wind, cling to the fur of mammals, or be excreted undamaged in animal dung.
Relationships
Queen Anne’s lace is pollinated by a wide variety of flying insects. Ants also feast on the nectar the flowers produce. In the late summer and early fall, bees can sometimes be found in the curled-up flower heads. Ants will also sometimes hide inside the flowers from rain showers. The seeds are consumed by many different birds and rodents.
Like most plants, wild carrot roots can have mycorrhizal relationships with species of fungi. This mycorrhizal relationship does not always form if the right species of fungi is not present. Without mycorrhiza, the plants will often not grow as big or be as healthy.
Human Use
The seeds of Queen Anne’s lace can be collected when dry and used as a spice in soups and stews, just as one would use caraway or cumin. Carrot seed oil is a common ingredient in many natural sunscreens. In their first year, the roots can be used as carrot roots – although they are much smaller and woodier. The roots have a strong carrot smell. NOTE: Great care should be used if wanting to harvest this plant, as it is similar in appearance to the poisonous water hemlock, which is part of the same plant family.
Scientific Name
Queen Anne’s lace is known scientifically as Daucus carota.
~Monica Schuegraf
