Daucus carota Biennial herb; stems 1.5–12 dm tall, solitary, erect, branching, glabrous to retrorsely papillate-hispid; taproots present. Leaves alternate, 2–3 times pinnately decompound; ultimate divisions linear to lanceolate, 2–12 mm long, 0.5–2 mm broad; petioles sheathing. Inflorescence a regularly compound umbel, terminal and axillary, subcompact by the incurving of the rays after anthesis; involucral bracts foliaceous, equalling or exceeding the rays, pinnately decompound into short, linear-lanceolate segments. Rays numerous, 2–5 cm long; involucel bractlets linear, acuminate, scarious, ciliate. Flowers with triangular sepals and unequal, white, obovate petals; pedicels 20–30, 3–10 mm long; ovary ovoid, styles divaricate. Fruit ovoid, 3–4 mm long, c. 2 mm broad, broadest at middle; primary and secondary ribs evident, secondary ribs with prominent long, glochidiate (barbed) spines. Seeds flattened dorsally in transection; seed face shallowly concave.
