Edge/ Queen Annes Lace

COMMON NAME: Queen Anne’s Lace

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Wild carrot, Bee’s Nest Plant, Bird’s Nest Plant. Lace Flower

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Daucus carota   

FAMILY: Apiaceae

COMMUNITY: Edge

STATUS: Naturalized from Europe

LIFESPAN: Biennial--requires a second year to flower

HEIGHT: 1 to 2 feet

FLOWERING TIME: Late June to November

FRUITING TIME: July to November

DISTRIBUTION: Statewide in NJ

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Leaves oblong, pinnately decompounded ~ Flower numerous clusters flat topped white or faintly yellow lacy unbellets, broadest at the middle ~ Stout taproot 1.5 to 3 feet long.

GENERAL INFORMATION: This family (Apaceae or Umbelliferae) commonly called the Carrot or Parsley Family consists of 418 genera and 3,100 species of shrubs and trees.  Members of this family include carrots, celery, chervil, fennel, parsley, dill coriander, cumin, caraway and anise.  Many species have umbrella-shaped flower clusters. Queen Anne’ Lace is derived from Saint Anne, the patron saint of lacemakers. In ancient Greece it was called Philon, from the Greek philo--loving.  Its root was served as a vegetable before amorous  affairs because it was believed to possess the power of exciting the passions.  It was also believed that raw carrots improve the eyesight. Clusters of old flowers resemble a bird’s nest, hence the common name Bird’s Nest Plant. The first year root can be prepared like the garden carrots.  The cultivated carrot is a descendant of this plant.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.