Wild carrot

Daucus pusillus Michx.

Apiaceae (Parsley family)


Description

Wild carrot is an introduced, cool-season annual that is also commonly named southwestern carrot or rattlesnakeweed. It grows as an erect, single-stemmed plant reaching 1 to 3 feet tall. When crushed, the taproot has the characteristic odor of a carrot.

The leaves and stems are covered with stiff hairs, making the plant rough to the touch. The leaves are divided pinnately, having leaflets arranged on each side of the stalk, and can be from 1 to 7 inches long.

The flowering stem is a flat-topped cluster of white flowers in which each flower stalk arises from about the same point. When the fruit ripen, they may cling to passing animals or the clothing of people for seed dispersal.

Wild carrot has little to no value for grazing livestock or wildlife.


Habitat

This plant grows along roadsides and in fields, over-grazed pastures and disturbed areas throughout the state.


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