Daucus carota, commonly known as wild carrot or Queen Anne's Lace is not native to the U.S. It was introduced and naturalised in North America...a long time ago. Most people consider it a weed, but I think it is beautiful. It got its name because the flower resembles lace (perfectly logical but not very original). The small red flower in the center represents a blood droplet where Queen Anne pricked herself with a needle while making the lace. Why it was attributed to Queen Anne and not Queen Mary or Queen Elizabeth no one seems to know. Maybe Mary and Elizabeth weren't in to lace making. Maybe they spent too much time at the palace pub and couldn't get their needles needling. For whatever reason Anne got the credit and the bloody finger.
This little tidbit, however, is much more interesting and I'll wager my next paycheck that it will be a news flash for you. Women have used the seeds from Daucus caorta for centuries as a contraceptive. It's true, look it up if you don't believe me. I read that the earliest written reference dates back to the late 5th or 4th century B.C. It even appeared in a work written by Hippocrates. Studies have been done recently (this century) to test the theory. I for one am not volunteering for that little science experiment, but I'll be happy to sign you up if you are interested.
Queen Anne's Lace, the versatile and beautiful weed.
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