This is a common plant called Queen Ann’s Lace. The species name is Daucus carota, which is exactly the same species as the carrots that we eat, so if you have eaten a carrot, you have eaten this species. Before you rush out to start munching on Queen Ann’s Lace, be aware that hemlock, a VERY poisonous plant, looks very similar to Queen Ann’s Lace. Don’t taste any unless you are certain that you have the right plant.

Also be aware that the roots of Queen Ann’s Lace do not taste much like carrots, and they will not be orange. Carrots did not get their orange color until the 16th century, when Dutch carrot growers crossed yellow rooted carrots with red rooted carrots to produce an orange carrot, in honor of the Dutch Royal Family, the House of Orange.

Note the single, red flower in the center. That flower is sterile and does not produce seeds. It seems to serve as a center point, to help attract insects, but not all Queen Ann’s Lace flowers have the red center.