Forgotten to mow... In this dry meadow Wild Carrots
(Daucus carota) abound. Sometimes they grow as high as your shoulders. There is a vague smell of carrots, but the roots are yellowish white and inedible.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAnCc-mDw2A00whWV1eUgJTx_tfjTK79zcCsZRAaWNnTKHu84F3yk2PB8YucjuTn9OPk8XHM-fNG2VyfptB4LEGglUFOMDpFeVowqvkHmI72D2TtkOJIAw79BNnpkebLKb4ek3ovNM0uv/s280/daucus-carota-102773a-600-8ss.jpg)
The yellow dots are Hawkweed Oxtongue
(Picris hieracioides).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hAyj-rQ1ECuIJnKTRU-JgcVvK8C1LrSjCSLQvNW4EkErstND5ovxF2CEg2Mx12yxoFE8kJircFYBC4EYRYyyuhfK4ZsvjOpwCS4t8kHsjABqHTyWSNjqc-7o2cztaLMyjdpPypPVw-dD/s280/daucus-carota-102710a-600-8-ss.jpg)
An umbel against a gloomy August sky shows the characteristic build of
all Apiaceae. At the root of the umbel is a ring of small ramified
bracts. Several dozen stalks carry smaller umbels, each with its own
ring of bracts and a posy of tiny white flowers on stalks. The
beginnings of fruits are visible as dark dots in the flowers.
In the centre, just above the stem, is a darker spot. In about half of all Wild carrots there are umbels with one ore more wine red central flowers.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkE6w0iBqPG_GtJnDhTOx6GCPTDUPbN8cVqSxrwxYDZ3RgNUv7iTlFKqHAW2sqLjK7Lj0l19i8NOlaHwPf4gRGOMC28nHZaA2jqrKTdyrDhcEcgzSYonguw0PtOop6pvn8JfFK6xhyphenhyphenWtLZ/s280/daucus-carota-102788b-sf-600-8ss.jpg)
Normally these flowers are uncompletely formed, but here above is one who even carries stamen.