What Exactly is a Moon Carrot?
The term "moon carrot" typically refers to species within the Seseli genus, most commonly Seseli gummiferum and Seseli libanotis. These are real, non-fictional plants within the Apiaceae, or carrot, family. Moon carrots are often grown for their striking ornamental features, which include silvery-blue, lacy foliage and umbels of delicate white or pale pink flowers that appear in the second year of growth.
Key Characteristics of Moon Carrots
- Foliage: Finely divided, fern-like leaves with a distinctive silvery-blue or glaucous (bluish-green) appearance.
- Flowers: Produces large, umbrella-shaped clusters of white to pinkish flowers, known as umbels, in its second year.
- Stem: Can have deeply grooved, hairy, or even silvery stems, depending on the species.
- Growth Cycle: Most species are biennials, meaning they grow foliage in the first year and flower in the second before dying.
- Native Range: Different species are native to various parts of Eurasia and the Mediterranean, growing in rocky or dry, well-drained soils.
The Reported Edibility: A Caveat for Foragers
Some sources suggest that parts of certain Seseli species are edible, but this information comes with significant warnings and uncertainty. For instance, some state that the leaves and roots of Seseli libanotis are edible and have been used in folk medicine. There are also claims that the gummy sap from the stems of Seseli gummiferum might be edible, with some sources extending this to the entire plant. However, definitive evidence and widespread culinary use are lacking, and caution is strongly advised.
The All-Important Foraging Warning
The most critical aspect of identifying moon carrots for consumption is the extreme danger posed by other members of the Apiaceae family. This group of plants is notoriously difficult to differentiate, even for experienced botanists. Mistaking an edible plant for a poisonous one can be fatal.
Here are the deadly risks associated with foraging in this family:
- Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum): Contains coniine, a powerful neurotoxin that can cause respiratory paralysis and death. It has smooth, hairless stems with purple blotches, unlike the hairy stems of wild carrot. However, the flowers and leaves can look deceptively similar to moon carrots and other edible species.
- Water Hemlock (Cicuta): This is one of the most poisonous plants in North America, with a powerful toxin that can cause violent convulsions and death. It is a particular threat near water sources, but looks like other edible plants in the family.
- Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum): The sap of this plant is phototoxic, causing severe blistering and burning when skin is exposed to sunlight.
Because of these life-threatening lookalikes, most foraging experts strongly advise against consuming any wild Apiaceae unless you are a 100% certain, expert botanist. The small reward is never worth the lethal risk.
Moon Carrot vs. Common Carrot vs. Poison Hemlock
| Feature | Common Carrot (Daucus carota) | Moon Carrot (Seseli spp.) | Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stem | Hairy, ridged, and green. | Hairy or smooth, deeply grooved, sometimes silvery-blue. | Smooth, hairless, often with distinctive purple blotches. |
| Foliage | Finely divided, dark green, often hairy. | Silvery-blue or glaucous, finely divided, fern-like. | Lacy, finely divided, darker green, and often shiny. |
| Flower Umbels | White, sometimes with a small, dark central floret. Bracts are present and three-pronged. | Creamy white to pinkish, rounded umbels. Bracts are usually narrow. | White, delicate umbels without bracts. Umbel stalks lack hairs. |
| Odor | Earthy, characteristically carrot-like smell when crushed. | Reportedly has a resinous or gummy sap; odor not reliably distinctive. | Unpleasant, musty, and rank odor, often described as fetid. |
| Root | Tuberous, orange or white taproot. | White, thick taproot; not a culinary root like common carrots. | White taproot, may be mistaken for parsnip. |
| Safety | Edible and safe to consume. | Potentially edible, but extremely dangerous to forage due to lookalikes. | DEADLY POISONOUS. DO NOT TOUCH OR EAT.. |
Conclusion: The Ornamental Over the Edible
Despite some claims of edibility, the reality of moon carrots belonging to the deadly Apiaceae family makes them an incredibly high-risk plant for inexperienced foragers. The risk of mistaking a moon carrot for a poisonous hemlock is simply too great, and the consequences are lethal. Foraging for any wild plant in this family, particularly those without widely confirmed and documented safe culinary usage, is reckless and ill-advised.
Instead of attempting to eat moon carrots, they are best appreciated for their ornamental value in a garden setting, where their beautiful, silvery foliage and delicate flowers can be safely enjoyed. When it comes to wild edibles, it is always best to stick to easily identifiable species and to follow expert guidance, which almost universally warns against attempting to forage the Apiaceae family for food. For more information on safe foraging practices, consult resources from knowledgeable organizations like the Food Standards Agency.
If you or someone you know has ingested a wild plant, contact a poison control center or seek medical help immediately..
