Photo: Alvesgaspar · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Daucus (False Queen Anne's Lace)
Daucus is cultivated wild carrot — the florist's refined take on Queen Anne's lace, with lacy flat umbels of tiny florets. The smoky-plum 'Dara' and dusky-pink forms are wedding favourites, threading airy texture and cottage-garden softness through bouquets and centrepieces. It reads as a cloud of fine lace, pairing effortlessly with roses, dahlias and grasses. Choose stems with their umbels well open for the best vase performance.
| Family | Apiaceae |
|---|---|
| Origin | Europe and south-west Asia (widely naturalised) |
| Peak season | June, July, August, September |
| Availability | May, June, July, August, September, October |
| Stem length | 40–70 cm |
| Vase life | 5–8 days |
| Colors | white, pink, burgundy, purple |
| Price tier | mid |
Cut when most florets in the umbel are open but before they begin to brown, avoiding stems still fully green in bud. Strip lower foliage, give a fresh angled cut and place in clean water with flower food. The hollow stems can foul water quickly, so change it often and keep the flowers cool.
- •Buy with umbels mostly open, not tight and green
- •Strip lower leaves below the waterline
- •Change water frequently — hollow stems foul it
- •Use flower food and keep cool
- •Recut stems on a slant
Bouquet Builder — by Lacy BirdDesign the bouquet. See it as a photo.
Botanical reference
- Common name
- Carrot
- Also known as
- false Queen Anne's lace, wild carrot, Dara, Daucus carota boissieri, Daucus carota carota, Daucus carota sativa, Daucus ceretanus, Daucus federicii, Daucus glaber, Daucus gonzaloi, Daucus guttatus, Daucus laevis
- Distribution
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Azores, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria
- Uses
- medicinal plant, vegetable
Open-data sources: GBIF, Wikidata (CC0/CC BY)
Frequently asked questions
When is Daucus (False Queen Anne's Lace) in season?
Daucus (False Queen Anne's Lace) peaks in June, July, August, September, and florists can usually source it May, June, July, August, September, October. Availability shifts by region and greenhouse supply.
How long does Daucus (False Queen Anne's Lace) last in a vase?
Expect 5–8 days with proper conditioning — a clean vase, fresh water every couple of days, flower food, and a cool spot away from ripening fruit and direct heat.
What can I use instead of Daucus (False Queen Anne's Lace)?
Good substitutes for Daucus (False Queen Anne's Lace) include Ammi, Orlaya, Astrantia, Bupleurum. Match on look, colour and season — our substitute finder ranks the closest alternatives.
What does Daucus (False Queen Anne's Lace) symbolise?
Daucus (False Queen Anne's Lace) is associated with sanctuary, delicacy, haven, refinement.
How do you care for cut Daucus (False Queen Anne's Lace)?
Buy with umbels mostly open, not tight and green
Related flowers
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Lacy Bird Flower Encyclopedia — “Daucus (False Queen Anne's Lace)”. https://lacybird.com/flowers/daucus/<a href="https://lacybird.com/flowers/daucus/">Lacy Bird Flower Encyclopedia — Daucus (False Queen Anne's Lace)</a>