Queen Anne's Lace, scientifically known as Daucus carota carota, is a biennial plant belonging to the parsley family, Apiaceae, and serves as the wild ancestor of the cultivated carrot. The plant can grow up to 1.5 meters tall, featuring bristly, divided leaves, and displays umbels of white or pink flowers, often with a single dark purple flower at the center, which produce ribbed fruits with sharp spines. The root of Queen Anne's Lace is edible but has a more acrid taste compared to cultivated carrots. Originally from Eurasia, this plant now enjoys a nearly cosmopolitan distribution and is sometimes grown as an ornamental.
The name "Queen Anne's Lace" is steeped in folklore and legend, with one popular story suggesting that the plant was named after Queen Anne of Great Britain, renowned for her lace-making skills. The flower's intricate white heads resemble lace, and the single dark red or purple flower found in the center is said to symbolize a drop of blood from when Queen Anne pricked her finger while making lace. This flower is often associated with the loss of children, particularly referencing Queen Anne II, who had only one surviving child from 18 pregnancies. The flower has thus been tied to themes of sanctuary, beauty, and the quest for love, with its delicate appearance symbolizing the sanctuary of a happy home.
Queen Anne's Lace is closely related to the carrots we consume today, sharing the scientific name Daucus carota. The "wild carrot" moniker comes from the plant's carrot-like taproot. While this root is technically edible, it is not as palatable as the carrots found in gardens, tending to be tough, stringy, and less flavorful. Historically, Queen Anne's Lace was also used medicinally, with Hippocrates prescribing crushed seeds for birth control, a practice supported by some modern research. However, caution is advised, especially for women who are pregnant or wish to conceive, due to potential effects on fertility.
It's important to distinguish Queen Anne's Lace from its toxic look-alikes, such as poison hemlock and giant hogweed, as mistaking these can lead to harmful consequences. Key identifiers include the finely divided, lacy leaves with a carroty scent, white flower heads with a tight cluster of flowers, and sometimes a distinctive dark red or purple flower at the center. The stems of Queen Anne's Lace are finely hairy and lack the purple spots found on the stems of poison hemlock and giant hogweed.
In summary, Queen Anne's Lace is a plant rich in history and folklore, with practical uses and important cautionary distinctions from its poisonous counterparts. Its ties to royalty, intricate beauty, and relationship with cultivated carrots make it a fascinating subject of study and appreciation. For more detailed information, you can explore the sources from Britannica, Farmers' Almanac, and Wikipedia.
