Daucus L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1981, Flora Europaea. Volume 2. Rosaceae to Umbelliferae, Cambridge University Press : 373

108. Daucus L. 1

Leaves 2- to 3-pinnate. Bracts several, usually pinnatisect. Sepals small or obsolete. Petals white, yellowish or purplish, the outer often radiate; apex inflexed. Fruit ellipsoid to ovoid, cylindrical or somewhat compressed dorsally; primary ridges filiform, ciliate; secondary ridges with a single row of spines.

1 Umbels subsessile, leaf-opposed; styles very short 1. durieua 1 Umbels pedunculate; styles medium or long

2 Lower leaves pinnately divided into sessile, rigid, multifid, apparently verticillate segments

3 Umbels convex; rays subequal; primary ridges of mericarps densely velutinous; spines on secondary ridges about as long as the width of the mericarp 9. setifolius 3 Umbels ± flat; rays unequal; primary ridges of mericarps with bristles; spines on secondary ridges 1 ^—2 times as long as the width of the mericarp 10. crinitus 2 Lower leaves 2- to 3-pinnate, with petiolulate lobes which do

not appear to be verticillate

4 Spines on secondary ridges of mericarp not confluent at

the base, not longer than the width of the mericarp

8. carota 4 Spines on secondary ridges of mericarp dilated, confluent at

the base or winged, (1—)2—3 times as long as the width of the mericarp

5 Rays 3-4; the petals less than 1 mm 7. involucratus 5 Rays 6 to numerous; at least the outer radiate petals more than 1 mm

6 Bracts deflexed in flower

7 Rays markedly unequal; spines on fruits silvery-white,

widely confluent at the base; petals remaining white

2. muricatus 7 Rays slightly unequal; spines on fruits yellowish,

slightly dilated but not confluent at the base; petals

becoming yellowish after anthesis 5. aureus 6 Bracts not deflexed in flower

8 Bracts usually longer than the rays; spines on secondary

ridges of mericarp dilated but not markedly confluent

at the base 6. guttatus 8 Bracts as long as or shorter than the rays; spines on

secondary ridges of mericarp markedly confluent and

winged at the base

9 Annual; rays 8-14; fruit 4-6 mm 3. broteri 9 Biennial; rays 12-40; fruits 2-3 mm 4. halophilus