Every Wednesday, I hope to find a new ‘weed’ to investigate. My only criterion will be that I will not have deliberately planted the subject of our inquiry. Who knows what we will find…..
Dear Readers, this week we are back, yet again, in the cemetery, where there is currently an abundance of wild carrot. I had never really looked at this plant before, but what enthralls me is the way that the plant opens, with the green bracts below the flowerheads forming into what my book describes as a ‘fist’. To me, they look much more like cosy green nests.
Domesticated carrots are cultivars of a subspecies of wild carrot, Daucus carota sativus. Both the leaves and root of wild carrot are said to have a ‘carroty’ smell, and I shall have to check this out next time I’m in the cemetery. The young root is said to be edible, though it quickly becomes woody. It is very important not to confuse wild carrot with either Hemlock (which has purple blotches on the stem) or Hemlock Water-dropwort (which is hairless) as both are amongst our most poisonous plants. If in doubt, don’t would be my advice. The flowers can be used as fritters, or to make a jelly, and if you scroll down here you will find a recipe for the latter. Indeed, I recommend The Carrot Museum website for all things carroty, and am only sorry that such a thing doesn’t exist in bricks and mortar. I have seldom been more delighted to find a blog and I have to say that for me it’s one of those sites that makes me grateful that there’s an internet. For example, here is a page on people who make music out of carrots.Just as a random sample, I have selected the group Flutenveg, and can recommend listening to their sample tunes. It’s amazing what you can do with a root vegetable.
But, back to the wild carrot.
‘I Love Les Carottes is a raw, cult, artistic and gentle cocktail of notes which promises a happy ending with a touch of euphoria on a grey, rainy day. It was inspired by carrot and echo of optimistic aromas in sunny winter morning, at time of brunch in New York or after a crazy, sleepless night full of party and euphoric tensions. Its notes introduce joy and health, since carrot is so beneficial. Initiated and inspired by creation of this fragrance, Olivia brought so much love into cooking, defrosting and recooking organic carrot from Harlem, while mixing zests of fresh carrot. She even wrote her recipe – to mix carrot seed characteristic for clear earth aromas with gentle orange aromas, Caribbean vanilla, patchouli and iris root butter. Available as 50ml EDP. I Love Les Carottes was launched in 2010.’
Well. For once in my life I am speechless. Though if someone could create an ‘Eau des Pomme de Terre’, preferably with the Pomme de Terre mashed, I would be most interested. Or even an ‘Eau de Parsnips Roasted’.
But sarcasm aside, I can see that carrot and orange might make quite a pleasant basis for a perfume. And who wouldn’t like a ‘happy ending with a touch of euphoria on a grey, rainy day?’ Sign me up, for sure.
Photo Credits
Photo One – Warren Lynn at https://www.flickr.com/photos/warrenlynn/14612829613
All other photos copyright Vivienne Palmer. Free to use and share non-commercially, but please attribute and link back to the blog, thank you!
As usual, you’ve peppered your post with insights and witticisms a-plenty. Always a delight!
Do you know if Honore Des Pres is a Japanese company? The description of the many transporting properties of “I Love Les Carrottes” brought to mind the often soaringly poetic copy on the hang tags attached to many artisanal Japanese products.
I remember as a child seeing that little red flower and how it seemed to signal a bit of danger, as magic tricks can sometimes do.
Is wild carrot related to hog weed? Or is that what you call “cow parsley”?
Thanks Katya! Honore de Pres are actually based in Hong Kong, but I imagine that they distribute all over Asia. And yes, wild carrot is closely related to hogweed. Cow parsley (which very confusingly is what we call ‘Queen Anne’s lace) is yet another plant in the carrot family, which blooms just a little bit earlier than hogweed….
I love the tiny red flower in the middle. Plants are so fascinating as are your post on the them. I am so behind with your wildflower posts. I have had workmen in my house most of the last 9 months with major remodeling. It was such a disruption to my routine. Now I can get back to my morning ritual of reading and writing on my own blog while sipping tea. Cheers!
Hi Laurin, I’m glad that your house is finished, renovation work is so disruptive! And I am enjoying reading your blog posts again.
Cheers! Wild plants get so much bad press. Thanks for correcting the record. I really appreciate the wild carrot that grows over here. I never thought about eating the seeds but your description makes them sound quite yummy.
You’re right, Debra. In my view, there is no such thing as a weed, just a plant that’s in the ‘wrong’ place for our convenience.
If you were to wear the perfume, would you risk attracting predatory wasps?
Hi Ann, no, probably just carrot fly 🙂