Family |
Apiaceae
Daucus carota subsp. maximus
L.
Daucus carota L. subsp. maximus (Desf.) Ball
(First published in J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 16: 476 (1878); Nouvelle Flore du Liban et de la Syrie, vol. 2; 1969)
• Life-form & habit : Biennial hemicryptophyte, robust and often tall; stems erect, furrowed, branched, usually hispid to bristly, sometimes reaching 1–2 m.
• Leaves : Alternate, petiolate, 2–3-pinnate, triangular in outline; segments narrow to lanceolate, usually hairy or scabrid; basal sheaths enlarged, often whitish-membranous at the margin.
• Inflorescence & flowers : Compound umbels large, many-rayed, terminal and lateral; bracts numerous, pinnatisect; umbellules many-flowered; flowers white, sometimes with a darker central flower; petals unequal, outer petals of marginal flowers enlarged.
• Fruit : Schizocarps ovoid to ellipsoid, splitting into two mericarps; ribs bearing rows of stiff bristles or prickles, aiding dispersal.
• Phenology : Flowers from spring to early summer.
• Habitat & elevation : Roadsides, fallow fields, field margins, rocky slopes and disturbed habitats.
• Lebanese distribution : Recorded in Lebanon in open and disturbed habitats, especially in lowland to montane zones.
• Native range : Afghanistan, Algeria, Bulgaria, Canary Is., Cyprus, France, Greece, Iran, Italy, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Morocco, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Palestine, Portugal, Sardegna, Spain, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe.
• Diagnostic remarks : The robust eastern Mediterranean form of wild carrot, distinguished from typical Daucus carota by its larger size, stronger bristly indumentum and larger compound umbels; historically treated under Daucus maximus Desf., now accepted as Daucus carota subsp. maximus.