Wednesday, July 15, 2009

All Hail The Queen (196/365)

2009 07 15 IMG_8073 
“So, when my mistress shall be seen
In form and beauty of her mind,
By virtue first, then choice, a queen”

Sir Henry Wotton (1568-1639), British poet. On His Mistress, the Queen of Bohemia (l. 16-18). . . New Oxford Book of English Verse, The, 1250-1950. Helen Gardner, ed. (1972) Oxford University Press.


TIME:  7:51 PM
PLACE:  South 11th Street
SUBJECT:  Queen Anne’s lace, Daucus
carota (Family Apiaceae)

I tell ya, I am always learning about new things while doing this photo blog.  I for one, did not know that Queen Anne’s lace is a wild relative of the carrot.  And did you know, according to the World Carrot Museum, “the root of the wild plant can induce uterine contractions and so should not be used by pregnant women. A tea made from the roots is diuretic and has been used in the treatment of urinary stones.  An infusion is used in the treatment of oedema, flatulent indigestion and menstrual problems.  The seed is a traditional 'morning after' contraceptive and there is some evidence to uphold this belief. It requires further investigation. Carrot seeds can be abortifacient and so should not be used by pregnant women.”  I find this fascinating.

3 comments:

SaraG said...

Very interesting post and beautiful photo!!
Take care.

Mari said...

Wow - I didn't know these things either. Very interesting!

Dot O said...

Wow, you certainly provide a lot of info on the plant. I guess if it induces those contractions, that is what would make it like the "morning after pill".

Really great information. Thanks for sharing.