Daucus pusillus
American wild carrot
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Daucus pusillus (American wild carrot) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by key differences in plant size and leaf segment morphology.
American wild carrot is a California native annual found in the Central Coast and Desert Mountains, particularly in coastal regions, growing in rocky or sandy places at elevations below 1,650 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces delicate white flowers in small, lacy umbrella-shaped clusters with reflexed bristles. Growing 30 to 90 centimeters tall, it develops as a generally simple or lightly branched plant with slender stems. Its finely divided leaves have multiple narrow, acute segments, each 1 to 5 millimeters long, giving the foliage a delicate, lacy appearance. The small fruit measures 3 to 5 millimeters long, typical of its wild carrot relatives.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; key differences in plant size and leaf segment morphology
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky or sandy places
Elevation: < 1650 m
California counties: Humboldt, Santa Barbara, Fresno, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, Sonoma, Riverside, Monterey, Mendocino, Kern, San Benito, San Mateo, Marin, Ventura, San Francisco, Colusa, Lake, Butte, Santa Clara, San Bernardino, Del Norte, Santa Cruz, Tulare, Sutter, Siskiyou, Napa, Mariposa, Solano, Yolo, Trinity, Tuolumne, Sacramento, Calaveras, Amador, Contra Costa, Glenn, Nevada, Merced, Tehama, Shasta, Yuba, Alameda, Madera, Stanislaus, El Dorado
Outside California: to British Columbia, southeastern United States, South America
Bloom period
Daucus pusillus blooms Apr-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Achillea: Daucus has umbrella-like clusters that curl into nests; Achillea has flat-topped composite flower heads.; vs Visnaga: Daucus umbels curl inward forming nests; Visnaga umbels stay flat and rigid.; vs Conium: Daucus has leaf-like bracts and curls into nests; Conium lacks bracts and has purple-spotted stems.; vs Torilis: Daucus umbels fold into tight nests in fruit; Torilis umbels stay open and loose.; vs Perideridia: Daucus is hairy with leaf-like bracts; Perideridia is smooth without prominent bracts.
Frequently asked questions
Is Daucus pusillus native to California?
Yes. Daucus pusillus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Daucus pusillus bloom?
Daucus pusillus blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Daucus pusillus grow?
Daucus pusillus occurs in Humboldt, Santa Barbara, Fresno, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, Sonoma and other counties, at elevations of < 1650 m.
What plant family does Daucus pusillus belong to?
Daucus pusillus is in the Apiaceae family, genus Daucus.
What habitat does Daucus pusillus grow in?
Daucus pusillus grows in Rocky or sandy places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.