Wild Carrot
Common name:
Wild Carrot
Latin:
Daucus carota
Irish:
Mealbhacán
Family:
Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)- The Carrot Family
Flowering period:
July-September
Native:
Yes
Habitat:
Limestone grasslands, rocky pastures, calcareous and sandy soils, roadside verges
Conservation Status:
Common throughout the Burren and in grasslands, sand dunes, sea cliffs, waste ground and railway banks nationwide. Irish Red List, 2016
Upright white flowered umbels of wild carrot swaying in the breeze is a familiar site throughout the grasslands and roadside verges of the Burren in late Summer.
Brief description
Hairy biennial with green finely divided lobed leaflets. Umbels 6-7 cm across of small white flowers at the top of solid, ridged stems.
Noteworthy characteristics
Central flower often rich pink , a ruff of bracts occur underneath the flower.
History and Folklore:
Our Irish ancestors distinguished wild carrot from the cultivated form due largely to their recognition of the efficacy of its use in traditional herbal medicine
Medicinal actions & Uses
Much valued by our ancestors for its medicinal properties it was used in the treatment of kidney, skin and digestive disorders. Also renowned by for its aphrodisiac properties.
Other interesting uses and points of interest
The flower centres were used to treat epilepsy.
In Cork carrots were used in the treatment of warts and in Co Donegal as a blood cleanser.
Other traditional Irish uses include for sores, earache and wounds
Also known as ‘Birds-nest’ plant due to the change in flower shape as it goes to seed
Both leaves and seeds are aromatic
Personal note
I am a great admirer of this fascinating wild plant. I particularly love the scent of its leaves and the intriguing ‘birds nest’ shape of the flowering heads as they turn to seed.
Botanical Classification:
Irish Red List of Vascular plants 2016
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