Visnaga daucoides, commonly known as toothpick-plant, toothpickweed, bisnaga, or khella, is a perennial herb that is native to the Mediterranean region, including North Africa, parts of the Middle East, and southern Europe. It thrives in open, sunny habitats such as fields, roadsides, and grasslands. Visnaga daucoides can reach a height of 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters) and a width of 1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters). It has finely divided, feathery leaves and produces large, flat-topped clusters of tiny white flowers in the summer and fall, which are highly attractive to pollinators. The plant’s overall appearance is delicate and lacy, making it a favorite for adding texture to garden designs.

The toothpick-plant is valued for its umbels of white flowers that can be used as both a fresh and dried cut flower. It is commonly used in cottage gardens, as a border plant, and in pollinator gardens due to its attractiveness to bees and butterflies. Visnaga daucoides prefers full sun and can tolerate a range of soil types, provided they have good drainage. It requires medium amounts of water and can be drought-resistant once established. While not commonly known for its culinary uses, it has a history of medicinal use, particularly in the Middle East, where it has been used to treat various ailments, including kidney stones. The plant’s rigid, woody flower stems have also historically been used as toothpicks, hence the common name. Potential problems include susceptibility to aphids and carrot rust flies. It is not typically invasive but can self-seed prolifically under ideal conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0