Uses
Toxic parts
Edible uses
Notes
The roasted root is a coffee substitute[6][1]. Carotin, extracted from the roots, is used as an orange-yellow food dye[7]. Leaves - raw or cooked. A very strong flavour, they can be added in small quantities to mixed salads[K]. The leaves contain an oil that is rich in vitamin E, they are sometimes used as a flavouring in soups[4].
An essential oil from the seed is used as a food flavouring.Root
Leaves
Material uses
Medicinal uses(Warning!)
The root is diuretic and ophthalmic[4]. The juice of organic carrots is a delicious drink and a valuable detoxifier[8]. The raw root, grated or mashed, is a safe treatment for threadworms, especially in children[8].
The seed is carminative, galactogogue, lithontripic and stimulant[4][10]. They are useful in the treatment of kidney diseases, dropsy and to settle the digestive system[10][8]. They stimulate menstruation and have been used in folk medicine as a treatment for hangovers[8].Unknown part
Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
Nothing listed.
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
Propagation
Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Daucus carota ssp. sativus. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
Cultivation
Carrots are widely cultivated in most areas of the world for their edible root, which can be available all year round from successional sowings[1]. There are many named varieties, with roots varying in size and shape from short and round to long and tapering[16][13]. World-wide, the yields of roots averages about 24 tonnes per hectare, the world low production yield was 3,125 kg/ha in Zaire, whilst the world high production yield was 62,889 kg/ha in Belgium-Luxembourg[15]. Plants grow best at a mean temperature of 16 - 18°c. At temperatures above 28°c top growth is reduced and the roots become very strongly flavoured. At temperatures below 16°c the roots become long and tapered and are pale in colour[13]. The leaves are moderately susceptible to frost but the roots are much hardier and can safely be left in the ground in the winter in most areas[13], so long as pests such as slugs or root fly are not a problem[K]. If dug up for storage, the roots can be kept for up to six months at 0 - 1°c and high relative humidity[13]. Carrots are very susceptible to a number of pests and diseases. The young seedlings are adored by slugs and so will generally need some protection. Carrot root fly is also a major problem. This creature lays its eggs near the young carrots. When they hatch, the larvae burrow into the soil and then eat their way into the root. In bad seasons almost all the crop can be heavily damaged. It is possible to reduce this damage by timing seed sowing to try and avoid the worst times of infestation, a June sowing of a fast-maturing cultivar will often be successful. There are also various companion plants that can help to reduce infestation. In general, these are strong-smelling plants such as garlic, onions and various aromatic plants such as wormwood. The idea is that these plants will mask the smell of the carrots and therefore the fly, which mainly uses scent to find the plants, will not be able to detect the smell of the carrots This method is most likely to fail when the fly comes close enough to the plants to see them and then no longer relies on scent. The most successful organic solution to date has been to erect barriers of clear polythene about 1 metre tall all around the bed of carrots. Since the fly generally flies below this height, it has proved to be quite effective, although any fly that does get in will then tend to stay inside the barrier and lay all of its eggs there. About 95% of carrot flowers are pollinated by insects, with the remaining 5% self-pollinating[15].
Carrots grow well with lettuce and chives[17] but dislike dill[18]. They also grow badly with potatoes, kohl rabi, fennel and cabbages[19].Crops
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Daucus carota ssp. sativus. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.
Polycultures & Guilds
There are no polycultures listed which include Daucus carota ssp. sativus.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
References
- ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.51.6 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (32202/01/01)
- ? Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (32202/01/01)
- ? 3.03.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (32202/01/01)
- ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.64.74.84.9 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (32202/01/01)
- ? 5.05.15.2 Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8 ()
- ? 6.06.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (32202/01/01)
- ? 7.07.17.27.3 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (32202/01/01)
- ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.58.6 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (32202/01/01)
- ? 9.09.1 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (32202/01/01)
- ? 10.010.110.2 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (32202/01/01)
- ? Simons. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-050-0 (32202/01/01)
- ? Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. (32202/01/01)
- ? 13.013.113.213.313.413.513.613.7 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (32202/01/01)
- ? Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth. ()
- ? 15.015.115.2 Duke. J. Handbook of Energy Crops - (32202/01/01)
- ? Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (32202/01/01)
- ? Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins (32202/01/01)
- ? Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (32202/01/01)
- ? Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-304-34324-2 (32202/01/01)
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