SPECIES DESCRIPTION
DAUCUS CAROTA
Daucus carota differs from other Daucus species in our area by being a tall biennial
with umbel 3-20 cm wide, generally inflexed and dense in fruit. The following four
subspecies have been recognized in the Aegean area
Including:- Subsp. drepanensis
Family and Genus:- See- UMBELLIFERAE/Sect. DAUCUS
Common Names:- Wild carrot.
Homotypic Synonyms:- Caucalis carota
Meaning:- Daucus (L) Latin name for carrot.
Carota (Gr) Old Greek name for carrot.
General description:- Very variable, short to tall, hairy or hairless annual or
biennial.
Stems:-
1) 10-100(-150) cm, glabrous to hispid.
Leaves:-
1) 2- to 3-pinnate, rarely less divided. segments linear to lanceolate, glabrous to
pubescent, thin or fleshy.
2) Upper cauline, often bract-like.
Flowers:-
1) Umbels, concave, flat or convex, with a variable number of rays.
2) Bracts, as long as the rays or shorter, 1- to 2-pinnatisect.
a) bracteoles, of the outer partial umbels 3-sect. those of the inner simple.
4) Petals, white to purplish, often with one or several flowers of the central umbel
dark purple.
Fruit:-
1) 2-4 mm. spines on the secondary ridges not longer than the width of the
mericarps.
Key features:-
1) Lower leaves, 2- to 3-pinnate.
a) lobes, petiolulate, which do not appear to be verticillate.
2) Spines, on the secondary ridges of the mericarp simple or 2-pointed.
3) Terminal umbels, 5-10 cm across.
4) Segments, of the lower leaves ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate.
Habitat:- Rough grassy habitats, roadsides, hilIslopes, sandy and stony pastures,
cultivated ground, seashores. 0-900(-1400) m.
Distribution:- Common throughout Greece and extremely variable. ~ Widespread
in Europe and SW Asia, introduced else where. Widespread and common on
Crete.
Flowering time:- Apr-Aug
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DAUCUS DREPANENSIS Back to Top
Homotypic Synonyms:- Daucus gingidium
Meaning:- Drepanensis (L) Curved, sickle-shaped
Resembling Daucus carota, but differering in the following characters:-
1) Short, (20-30 cm) and stout.
2) Leaf segments, ± ovate
3) Umbel, only slightly contracted in fruit
Habitat:- Mainly in maritime habitats on small islets
Distribution:- As for Daucus carota. See map for Crete.
Flowering time:- As for Daucus carota
Photos by Christopher Cheiladakis
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DAUCUS MAJOR Back to Top
Homotypic Synonyms:- None
Meaning:- Major (L) Larger, greater, bigger
Resembling Daucus carota, but differering in the following characters:-
1) Tall and erect.
2) Terminal umbel 5-10 cm wide.
3) Spines on the secondary ridges of the fruit, simple or forked.
Habitat:- Roadsides, fallow fields, etc.
Distribution:- As for Daucus carota. See map for Crete.
Flowering time:- As for Daucus carota
Photos by Steve Lenton
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DAUCUS MAXIMUS Back to Top
Homotypic Synonyms:- None
Meaning:- Maximus (L) Largest, greatest.
Resembling Daucus major, but differering in the following characters:-
1) Even larger.
2) Terminal umbel, 10-20 cm wide.
3) Spines on the secondary ridges of the fruit usually stellulate.
Habitat:- Common on roadsides, fallow fields, etc.
Distribution:- As for Daucus carota. See map for Crete.
Flowering time:- As for Daucus carota
Photos by Steve Lenton
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DAUCUS MARITIMUS Back to Top
Homotypic Synonyms:- None
Meaning:- Maritimus (L) Growing by the sea, maritime
Resembling Daucus carota, but differering in the following characters:-
1) Short.
2) Subglabrous throughout.
3) Terminal umbel, 3-5 cm wide.
Habitat:- In maritime habitats.
Distribution:- As for Daucus carota. See map for Crete.
Flowering time:- As for Daucus carota
Photos currently unavailable
