Queen Anne's Lace
Daucus carota
Carrot family (Wild carrot)
Host Plant

The carrots brought over by the Pilgrims escaped captivity and adapted to growing conditions in most of the country.  It's a wild carrot, not orange, but white, and doesn't have the flavor that we love in cultured carrots.  Host plant for Black Swallowtail caterpillar, although it's not a preferred host plant.  The leaves are too tough, and the caterpillars prefer parsley or fennel, but in a pinch, they WILL eat this plant.

Not a true native plant in the US, but a great wildflower.  Found in meadows and fields..

Culture

Light:  Full sun

Propagation:  Seeds - sow where it grows, keep moist until leaves appear, then it grows like a weed.  Has a long taproot (a carrot) and doesn't transplant well.

Soil and Fertility:  Well-drained, unfertile soil.

Hardiness: 

Dependable bloomer that provides nectar for the beneficial insects that prey on aphids.  I've seen many insects nectaring on this flower.

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