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Queen Anne's Lace (wild carrot)

>From: moholt@gardens.com (The Bay Area Gardener)
>Subject: Re: Queen Anne's Lace (wild carrot)
>Sender: bag1@best.com
>Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 07:30:45 -0700
>
> Hi Nick and others,
>
> Couldn't resist getting into this discussion. Queen Anne's Lace was one of
> my favorite wild flowers when I was growing up in Oregonago.  I especially
> liked to look for for the purple "blob" in the middle, as it was often
> different shades depending on on the individual plant. Does any one know
> its significance?
>    <snip, snip>
> I've always wondered which Queen Anne they were talking about and whether
> there was a story...anyone know?

Queen Anne's Lace is a common name casually applied to many of the
white flowered species within the Umbelliferae family, though I've
been told by friends who consider themselves authorities on this
specialized topic that only those with the red or purple floret in
the center of the umbel, signifying the drop of Queen Anne's blood
(she apparently was clumsy in her lace tatting method), are the only
'real' Queen Anee's Lace.  I do not recall the story associated with
this flower - perhaps someone else will.

We have our own compliment of Queen Anne's Lace species in
California, som native, some imported.  And there are various types
available through heirloom and wildflower seed catalogs.  Most grow
well on poor soils in full sun, sown 'in situ'.  I am not
particularly familiar with this family, and most look so similar as
to test the abilities of any botanist as to their exact
identification.

One plant I am somwhat familiar with is Ammi visnaga, the 'Toothpick
Ammi', 'Bishop's Weed', or 'Basket Flower' (but also 'Queen Anne's
Lace"), a European weed.  It grew abundantly along field roadsides
around Davis in the central valley (where My wife and I attended the
University).  It is distinctive in that the flat lacey umbel closes
into a conical or 'basket shaped' compact structure as the seeds
form - this is the only type of QAL I have seen do this - very
charming.

North of here, along California's northern coast and parts of
Oregon, I have seen a QAL species that often has pinkish flowers
among the normal white.  I have often tried to gather seed of these
individuals, but it is usually not the right time.  Does anyone know
this plant, or of other pink QALs?  I find it a charming variation
from the white form.

Someone mentioned Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) which does grow
abundantly as an escapee in our local hils throughout this part of
California.  Another escapee often (dangerously) confused with
Fennel is another European weed, Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum).
This plant lacks the distinctive fragrance of Fennel, but it very
poisonous and is responsible for deaths in livestock and (rarely)
people from time to time.  It grows in many places, close to urban
areas and also in some of the most remote areas of our state.  The
leaves are finely dissected into triangular, ferny segments, flat in
plane.  The stems can range from 2-9ft tall, depending upon soil and
moisture, and have distinctive spotting at their bases.  The flowers
are pale yellow or yellow-green in large, wide, umbels.  Its worth
getting to know this plant in the wilds of our area.

 Sean A. O'Hara                     sean.ohara@ucop.edu
 710 Jean Street                    http://www.dla.ucop.edu/sao
 Oakland, California  94610-1459    h o r t u l u s   a p t u s
 (510) 987-0577                     'a garden suited to its purpose'
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