Wild carrot
Daucus carota
Family: Apiaceae
Fire effect on plant
Little information is available on wild carrot’s response to burning, but it is likely that fire will top-kill adult plants, which may resprout from the tap root (as it does from defoliation).
Key traits
Wild carrot has a taproot, that can reach depths of 2 m (Johansen et al 2015); it can resprout from the taproot when aboveground biomass is removed. Seeds survive through mild fires but may be destroyed by high temperatures (Riviero et al 2019).
Plant response to fire
Wild carrot populations tolerate or benefit from disturbances such as fire and tend to decline in areas with an absence of disturbance (Hilty 2015). Wild carrot germinates readily after fire, although germination may be reduced under high temperatures (Riviero et al 2019). The importance of resprouting to post-fire recovery in wild carrots is unstudied.
Timing of life history
Biennial or short-lived perennial. Seeds produced in second growing season. Flowers June to September.
Conservation status
None.
References
Hilty, J. 2015. Wild carrot: Daucus carota, carrot family (Apiaceae). Illinois wildflowers. http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/wild_carrot.htm [Expert opinion; Grey literature]
Johansen, T.J. Thomsen M.G., Løes A-K, Riley H. 2015. Root development in potato and carrot crops – influences of soil compaction. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section B — Soil and Plant Science 65: 182-192 [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]
Riveiro, S.F., García-Duro J, Cruz O, Casal. M, Reyes O. 2019. Fire effects on germination response of the native species Daucus carota and the invasive alien species Helichrysum foetidum and Oenothera glazioviana. Global Ecology and Conservation 20: e00730 [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]