Queen Anne's Lace

The pretty, delicate looking flower originally came from Europe with the colonists, but it has become a common wildflower across much of America. It prefers sunny places, like open fields and roadsides. Some people consider it an invasive weed, while others order seeds and grow it around their homes. It normally blooms from May into October. The wildflowers can be used in quick, temporary flower arrangements, but they tend to shed, and may leave residue behind.

Some of the plants grow up to four feet tall and have feathery, fern-like leaves. The white flowers may grow as large as a fist, but many are almost flat on top when fully opened. They're made up of a cluster of tiny flowers, giving it the lacy appearance. The plant is a biennial, meaning it has a two-year life span. It grows the first year and blooms the second year.

Queen Anne's Lace is also known as wild carrot, and the carrot we eat today was cultivated from this plant. The taproot, or carrot, on Queen Anne's Lace is edible, but it's leaves are toxic and can even irritate the skin of some people.

A few insects have come to depend on the wildflower. For example, the caterpillar of the Eastern Black Swallowtail butterfly likes to eat the leaves. Bees and other insects also drink the nectar. Whether they're considered a blessing or a curse depends on one's perspective.

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