Plant Identification Learning Module:
Vegetables

Carrot (Daucus carota var. sativa)

The edible part of a carrot is the yellowish orange root that varies in shape from long-cylindrical to short and blunt. The leaves are compound, deeply cut with a lacy appearance and form from the base of the one to two foot tall plant. Seeds are small, straw to brown in color, flat on one side and curved on the other, with 4 to 6 ridges on the curved side, similar to celery except much larger. Carrots are biennial. They will produce a white umbel flower in the second growing season if the roots are not harvested.


Edible roots of carrots
Flower of carrot
National Junior Horticultural Association

Carrot plant
Foliage of carrot
Purdue

Carrot seeds with penny for size comparison
Stephen R. King, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University