Daucus carota, commonly known as Wild Carrot, Bird's Nest, Bishop's Lace, or Queen Anne's Lace, is a splendid flowering plant native to Europe and Asia and now naturalized in North America and Australia. This hardy biannual plant blooms in summer displaying claret-coloured or pale pink umbels, which open up to bright white blossoms measuring 3–7cm wide, presenting a beautiful visual spectacle.
The plant's culinary versatility is noteworthy; the young, tender roots are edible, while aromatic seeds can be used as a flavoring in stews. The flower clusters can be deep-fried giving a gourmet treat with a carrot-like flavor.
An interesting property of this plant is its color-changing ability. When freshly cut, the head of the plant can take or change color, depending on the water it is in, making it an exciting subject for primary grade science experiments.
Ideal for growing as an annual in 60-70 degrees, its seeds can be sown from early spring until August.