Daucus carota, the wild carrot, native to temperate regions of Europe and Southeast Asia, can grow in a variety of environments, including coastal areas. It can also thrive in dry conditions, as its long taproot allows it to seek out water sources deep underground. It prefers calcareous (alkaline) soils and does not like repeated cutting or grazing. It can also withstand nutritionally poor soils, but the area must be free-draining.
Since it does not cope well with grazing due to its delicate young shoots, it is often found on lightly grazed grassland or wasteland.
The plant can grow up to 1m tall, while the large flower heads, approximately 5cm in diameter, are white in colour, apart from a small central area that can be pink-red. Flowering occurs between June and August, and once this has ended, the forked bracts that held the flowers become clearly visible, and the concave nature of the head takes on a 'bird's nest' appearance. If left uncut, it will remain through the winter.