Daucus carota subsp. sativus

Hoffm.

Carrot

Apiaceae Edible: Root, Leaves, Seeds-flavouring, Vegetable Potential hazards — see below 182,967 iNaturalist observations

Has 2 deadly poisonous lookalikes — see comparison below

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Summary

Source: Wikipedia

Daucus carota, whose common names include wild carrot, European wild carrot, bird's nest, bishop's lace, carrot flower, and Queen Anne's lace (North America), is a flowering plant in the family Apiaceae. It is native to temperate regions of the Old World with a number of regional subspecies, and is naturalised widely elsewhere. Carrots cultivated as a food crop are cultivars of the domesticated subspecies Daucus carota subsp. sativus.

Description

A root crop grown from seed. It normally grows a fattened root one year then forms a flower the next year. It can be 60 cm high and spread to 50 cm wide. The root is long in shape and orange in colour. The stem is erect, tough and furrowed. The leaves are feathery and divided 3 times. The leaves have a sheath clasping the stalk at the base. The flowers are white and lacy. They form a dense compound cluster at the top of the plant. Sometimes flowers are only produced into the second year of growth, depending on temperature.

Edible Uses

Like the cultivated carrot, the wild carrot root is edible while young, but quickly becomes too woody to consume. The flowers are sometimes battered and fried. The leaves and seeds are also edible. The seeds and flowers have been used as a method of contraception and an abortifacient for centuries, but scientific research has not confirmed any such effects and there is no evidence of safety. If used as a dyestuff, the flowers give a creamy, off-white colour.

Traditional Uses

Both the roots and the leaves are edible. The young leaves are used in soups. The roots can be eaten raw or cooked. They can be steamed, fried, pickled, made into jam, or used in stews. Carrot seed oil is used as a flavouring. The juice is used raw and fermented. The roots can be dried and the flour used to flavour and thicken soups.

Known Hazards

Like many other species of Apiaceae, the leaves of the wild carrot may cause phytophotodermatitis; skin contact with the foliage, especially wet foliage, can cause skin irritation in some people, so caution should be used when handling the plant. It may also have a mild effect on horses. The compound falcarinol is naturally found in Daucus carota for protection against fungal diseases. Laboratory tests show the compound is toxic to mice and to the water flea Daphnia magna. Normal consumption of carrots has no toxic effect in humans.

Distribution

A temperate plant. In the tropics it is mostly grown in the highlands, but will grow from sea level to 2600 m altitude. Sometimes on the coast only leaves are produced. Carrots are frost resistant. In Nepal carrots are grown up to 1700 m altitude. It needs a deep loose soil. Seed germinate well in the temperature range 7-24°C. Plants grow well with a temperature about 15°C. It grows best with a pH of 6.0-7.0. It suits hardiness zones 3-9.

Where It Grows

Afghanistan, Africa, Andorra, Angola, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Bougainville, Brazil, Britain, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Caucasus, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America, Central Asia, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Czech, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Equatorial-Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guam, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Kurdistan, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Moldova, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Rotuma, Russia, Rwanda, Sahel, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Sikkim, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, Sudan, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Turkey, Türkiye, Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

They are grown from seeds sown directly. Because seed are very small, seed are mixed with sand before sowing to allow a more even distribution of plants. A spacing 5 cm apart in rows 15-20 cm apart is suitable. Often this spacing is achieved by thinning out plants. For seed production a low temperature of 4-9°C for 40-60 days is needed before flowering to break the dormancy.

Production

There are tropical varieties that mature within 90-110 days.

Other Information

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. Within Papua New Guinea carrots are not common but occasionally seen in gardens in many areas of the country. Often it is grown for sale.

Notes

There are about 22-25 Daucus species.

Dangerous Lookalikes

This plant can be confused with the following toxic species. Always verify identification carefully before consuming any wild plant.

DEADLY

Poison Hemlock

Conium maculatum

MPF

Safe

Carrot

Daucus carota subsp. sativus

Poison Hemlock: Smooth hairless stem with purple/red blotches, hollow, taller (2-3m), musty smell.

Carrot: Hairy stem, single dark purple flower in center of umbel, "bird's nest" shape when drying, carrot smell when root crushed.

DEADLY

Water Hemlock

Cicuta maculata

Unknown

Safe

Carrot

Daucus carota subsp. sativus

Water Hemlock: Grows near water, cluster of tubers with yellowish oily liquid, smooth stems, no carrot scent.

Carrot: Grows in dry ground, single taproot, hairy stems, carrot scent.

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Root - raw	89.9	180	43	1	2813	6	0.6	0.4
Root - boiled	91.5	79	19	0.6	2455	4	0.4	0.3
Leaves	87.4	—	—	2.2	65	—	—	—

Synonyms

Daucus carota subsp. sativa (Hoffm.) Archangeli

Also Known As

Carota, Carotte, Cenoura, Gajar, Gajor, Ganjar ko saag, Heung lo paak, Hu luo bo, Karaoty, Karas, Karati, Kareti, Karoti, Karotte, Ma-la-oo-wa, Markov, Mohre, Monla-wa, Ninjin, Pastineggio, Pastinella, Thaba-di-baw, Zanahoria

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