Daucus carota, commonly known as wild carrot or Queen Anne’s lace, is a biennial wildflower native to Europe and western Asia. It is recognized by its finely divided, feathery leaves and its lacy white flower heads, which often feature a single dark-purple floret at the center—a trait that inspired the legend of Queen Anne pricking her finger while sewing lace. As the seeds mature, the flower head curls inward to form a distinctive “bird’s nest” shape. Unlike many umbellifers, Daucus carota has a strong, carrot-like scent when crushed, reflecting its status as the wild ancestor of the cultivated carrot.
