American Wild Carrot
(Daucus pusillus)
American Wild Carrot (Daucus pusillus)
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sonnia hill
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sonnia hill
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CC BY 2.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: sonnia hill | License Type: CC BY 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ | Uploader: sonnia hill | Publisher: Flickr
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Daucus pusillus, commonly known as American wild carrot or rattle-snake-weed, is an annual herb native to a variety of habitats including grasslands, open woodlands, and coastal sage scrub in North America, from the Southern United States to Baja California and north to British Columbia. It typically grows to a height of 12 to 30 inches (30 to 76 cm) and features finely divided leaves with a feathery appearance. The plant produces small, delicate umbels of white or pinkish flowers from late spring to early fall, which are attractive to a variety of pollinators. The taproots are small and edible, resembling miniature carrots.
American wild carrot is valued for its natural, wildflower aesthetic in garden settings and is used in native plant gardens, meadowscapes, and as part of pollinator-friendly landscaping. It is drought-tolerant and thrives in well-drained soils, preferring full sun to light shade. While not commonly cultivated, it can be a charming addition to informal garden areas where it can self-seed and naturalize. Care should be taken to distinguish it from toxic relatives in the Apiaceae family.CC BY-SA 4.0
American wild carrot is valued for its natural, wildflower aesthetic in garden settings and is used in native plant gardens, meadowscapes, and as part of pollinator-friendly landscaping. It is drought-tolerant and thrives in well-drained soils, preferring full sun to light shade. While not commonly cultivated, it can be a charming addition to informal garden areas where it can self-seed and naturalize. Care should be taken to distinguish it from toxic relatives in the Apiaceae family.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1.5-3 feet
- Width: 1-2 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Pink, White
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention:
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Low
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Grasslands, open woodlands, and coastal sage scrub
Other Names
Common Names: Small Desert Parsley, Southwest Wild Carrot, Rattlesnake Carrot, Rattlesnake Weed, Southwestern Carrot
Scientific Names: , Daucus pusillus, Babiron pusillum, Daucus australis, Daucus australis, Daucus brevifolius, Daucus hispidifolius, Daucus montevidensis, Daucus montevidensis, Daucus scaber
GBIF Accepted Name: