Cotyledons
Long, narrow
Tapering at base and tip

Roots
Taproot

Stem
Erect in second year
branched, hollow, bristly

True Leaves
Rosette in first year
First leaves have three main divisions
Finely divided, lacy, hairy

Stem Leaves
Alternate
Leaf sheath is broad and encircles stem at
base, similar to rosette leaves, except
smaller and shorter-stalked

Flowers
White with central flowers
occasionally pinkish
Large compound umbel
made up of many smaller umbels
Whorl of three to five bracts at base of
each compound umbel, after flowering
umbel closes forming a "bird's nest"
Seeds are prickly

Habitat
Old fields, fencerows, uncultivated fields

Note
Stems, leaves and roots
have a carrot odour
Cultivated carrot derived from wild carrot