Daucus carota
Wild Carrot
a biennial member of the Daucus genus in the family Umbelliferae. An ancestor to Daucus carota ssp. sativus, the cultivated carrot. The two still readily cross.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Umbelliferae
- Genus
- Daucus
- Life cycle
- biennial
- Height
- 0.6 m
- Spread
- 0.3 m
- Fertility
- self fertile
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Flies, Beetles
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
Carrots sometimes cause allergic reactions in some people[17]. Skin contact with the sap is said to cause photo-sensitivity and/or dermatitis in some people[8]. Daucus has been reported to contain acetone, asarone, choline, ethanol, formic acid, HCN, isobutyric acid, limonene, malic acid, maltose, oxalic acid, palmitic acid, pyrrolidine, and quinic acid. Reviewing research on myristicin, which occurs in nutmeg, mace, black pepper, carrot seed, celery seed, and parsley, Buchanan (J. Food Safety 1: 275, 1979) noted that the psychoactive and hallucinogenic properties of mace, nutmeg, and purified myristicin have been studied. It has been hypothesized that myristicin and elemicin can be readily modified in the body to amphetamines. Handling carrot foliage, especially wet foliage, can cause irritation and vesication. Sensitized photosensitive persons may get an exact reproduction of the leaf on the skin by placing the leaf on the skin for awhile, followed by exposure to sunshine[14].
Edible uses
Daucus carota ssp. carota can bear a strong resemblance to an unrelated poisonous plant! See notes on toxicity and if in any doubt do not eat any part of this plant.
- Plant part
- Root
- Preparation
- Dried, Roasted
- Product or use
- Roasted drink, Coffee substitute
- Plant part
- Root
- Preparation
- Cooked
- Product or use
- Vegetable
- Plant part
- Flowers
- Preparation
- Fried
- Product or use
- Vegetable
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The wild carrot is an aromatic herb that acts as a diuretic, soothes the digestive tract and stimulates the uterus[10]. A wonderfully cleansing medicine, it supports the liver, stimulates the flow of urine and the removal of waste by the kidneys[13]. The whole plant is anthelmintic, carminative, deobstruent, diuretic, galactogogue, ophthalmic, stimulant[16][19][20][1][6][2]. An infusion is used in the treatment of various complaints including digestive disorders, kidney and bladder diseases and in the treatment of dropsy[16][10]. An infusion of the leaves has been used to counter cystitis and kidney stone formation, and to diminish stones that have already formed[13]. Carrot leaves contain significant amounts of porphyrins, which stimulate the pituitary gland and lead to the release of increased levels of sex hormones[13]. The plant is harvested in July and dried for later use. A warm water infusion of the flowers has been used in the treatment of diabetes[7]. The grated raw root, especially of the cultivated forms, is used as a remedy for threadworms[7][9][13]. The root is also used to encourage delayed menstruation[7]. The root of the wild plant can induce uterine contractions and so should not be used by pregnant women[7]. A tea made from the roots is diuretic and has been used in the treatment of urinary stones[9]. The seeds are diuretic[7][8], carminative, emmenagogue and anthelmintic[16][8]. An infusion is used in the treatment of oedema, flatulent indigestion and menstrual problems[10]. The seed is a traditional 'morning after' contraceptive and there is some evidence to uphold this belief. It requires further investigation[9]. Carrot seeds can be abortifacient and so should not be used by pregnant women[13].
- Product or use
- Anthelmintic
- Product or use
- Carminative
- Product or use
- Contraceptive
- Product or use
- Deobstruent
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Emmenagogue
- Product or use
- Galactogogue
- Product or use
- Ophthalmic
- Product or use
- Stimulant
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
An essential oil obtained from the seed has an orris-like scent[10]. It is used in perfumery and as a food flavouring[17][10]. The oil has also been used cosmetically in anti-wrinkle creams[10].
- Product or use
- Cosmetic
- Product or use
- Essential
Environment
- Range
- Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to N. Africa, China and eastern India.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- False
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow August/September or April in situ. The seed germinates better if it is given a period of cold stratification.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a sunny position and a well-drained neutral to alkaline soil[11][10]. A good plant for the summer meadow[11], it is a food plant for caterpillars of the Swallow-tail Butterfly[5]. This species is the parent of the cultivated carrot[5]. It can act as an alternative host for pests and diseases of the cultivated carrots. The plant has become a pest weed in N. America, where it is spreading rapidly and crowding out native vegetation[15]. The whole plant, when bruised, gives off an aniseed-like scent[12].
References
Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3
Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148
Duke. J. Handbook of Energy Crops - 1983-00-00
Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Harris. B. C. Eat the Weeds. Pivot Health 1973-00-00
Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2
Emily Porter [Carrots Gone Wild!] Penny Scout: Tracker of Plants (2013/05/30)
COOKSON BEECHER [Garden Visitor Can Be Deadly If Eaten: Poison hemlock is easily mistaken for edible plants] Food Safety News (2013/05/30)