DAUCUS CAROTA subsp. MAXIMUS

Description

This impressively tall, rarely-seen, multi-value plant grows hairy feathery foliage which is traditionally collected in Crete as a wild vegetable in the spring. The fragrant flowers have a delicate lace-like structure with a single deep purple or black flower in the centre of the rose flowered curved umbel. These seeds were freshly collected for us in Crete, and when they ripen in the early summer, the umbels curve strongly inwards to protect the loose ball of detached seeds, producing a truly impressive and very beautiful structure, much like eggs in a nest. Indeed, an old English popular name was "The birds nest'. You also have a wonderful source of natural medicine at your disposal as Dioscorides asserts that the best specimen forms for healthy use come from Crete and surrounding islands!

Sowing Advice

For best results, sow immediately onto a good soil-based compost. Cover the seeds with fine grit or compost to approximately their own depth. They can be sown at any time, and germination can sometimes be quicker if kept at 15 to 20 degrees C. We sow most seeds in an unheated greenhouse and wait for natural germination, as many seeds have built-in dormancy mechanisms, often waiting for natural spring germination, hence giving them a full season of growth.

Key Facts