HPIPM:Wild Carrot

Taxonomy

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Magnoliophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Superorder	Asteranae
Order	Apiales
Family	Apiaceae
Genus	Daucus
Species	Daucus carota

Scientific Name

Daucus carota ssp. sativus

Common Name

carrot

Wild Carrot (Daucus carota )

Compiled by Fabian Menalled and Marjolein Schat, Montana State University from the following sources:

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=DACA6

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pdf/pnw/pnw447-e.pdf

http://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weed_info/Daucus_carota%20.html

http://www.ppws.vt.edu/scott/weed_id/dauca.htm

Identification and Life Cycle

Wild carrot (Daucus carota), also called Queen Anne’s lace, is biennial in the carrot family (Apiaceae). In the first year of growth, wild carrot resembles garden carrots. Seedlings have linear cotyledons that may resemble emerging grasses. Leaves form a rosette in the first year and are deeply dissected and have a feathery appearance. Leaves have long petioles and are hairless on top, but may have hairs on the veins and margins on the lower surface. In the second year, plants bolt. Stem leaves are alternate, oblong, and have lobed segments. Flowering stems are hollow, have hairs, and may grow up to 4 feet tall. Flowers are small and white and occur in compound flat tipped umbels. Umbels are 2 to 4 inches in diameter and may have one to several pink or purple flowers at the center. The umbels become concave as fruits mature. A single plant may produce up to 100 umbels during the flowering season. Seeds are oblong, grayish 1/8 to 1/16 inch long and have hooked spines on one side. Wild carrot has a slightly thickened taproot.

Habitats

Wild carrot occurs in meadows, pastures, roadsides, and waste places. Plants are typically found in sandy or gravelly soils and in wet areas. The plant usually grows in open areas. In shady areas, the plant is less vigorous and may be a short-lived perennial.

Impacts

Wild carrot invades open areas and competes with native grasses and forbs for resources. Wild carrot can become a problem in continuous no-till production systems.

Biology and Ecology

Seedlings emerge in early spring and continue to emerge through mid-October. Wild carrot overwinters in the rosette stage, and requires a root diameter of at least 1/8 inch to survice the winter. New leaves develop in March and plants bolt in early June. Flowering begins in late June and continues through August. One wild carrot umbel can produce up to 1000 seeds. Seeds are primarily wind dispersed, but the spines on the seeds can adhere to animals and can be dispersed long distances. The majority of seeds germinate within two years of dispersal, but they can remain viable in the soil for up to seven years.

Biological Control

There are no biological controls for wild carrot

Mechanical and Cultural Control

Tillage can effectively control wild carrot. Mowing wheat stubble, roadsides, and fence rows when wild carrot is flowering can stop seed production and reduce spread. Including fall-planted cereals into a crop rotation can control wild carrot because harvest occurs when wild carrot is flowering, but before it has set seed.

Chemical Control

Consult herbicide labels for additional rate, application, and safety information. Additional herbicide information can be found at http://www.greenbook.net.

Due to constantly changing labels, laws and regulations, the sponsors of this web site assume no liability for the suggested use of any chemicals noted in the management section. Contact your local pest management personnel for current information on labeled pesticides that can be used for the intended plant disease, insect pest or weed.

References

For more information and images please visit IPM Bugwood http://www.ipmimages.org/search/action.cfm?q=Daucus%20carota&Start=1&results=104