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Science & Nature • Vegetable

Carrot

The carrot is a cultivated root vegetable and plant in the parsley family, usually identified as *Daucus carota* subsp.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 10, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The carrot is a cultivated root vegetable and plant in the parsley family, usually identified as *Daucus carota* subsp. *sativus*. It is grown for its edible taproot, which is most often orange but can also be white, yellow, red, purple, or black. Carrots are widely cultivated worldwide and are commonly eaten raw or cooked.

Description

Carrot is a herbaceous plant grown for its enlarged taproot. The plant typically forms a rosette of finely divided leaves and may produce white or pink flower clusters if allowed to flower.

Domestication and origin

The modern cultivated carrot is derived from the wild carrot, native to temperate regions of Europe and southwestern Asia. Historical cultivation developed types with different root colours and sizes, including the familiar orange form.

Nutrition and use

Carrots are widely eaten as a vegetable and may be consumed raw, cooked, juiced, or used in dishes and desserts. Orange carrots are especially associated with beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A.

Cultivation

Carrots are grown globally as a cool-season crop. They are usually harvested before the plant completes its biennial life cycle, when the taproot is still tender and edible.

Key facts

  • Carrots are cultivated for their edible taproot, which stores food for the plant’s second year of growth.
  • The plant belongs to the Apiaceae family, also known as the carrot or parsley family.
  • Orange carrots are high in beta-carotene, which contributes to their colour and vitamin A content.
  • Carrots are generally biennial plants, though they are usually harvested in the first year.
  • Cultivated carrots are derived from the wild carrot, *Daucus carota*.
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Canadian context

Carrots are a common vegetable in Canadian agriculture, grocery retail, and home cooking, and they are grown in Canada as a cool-season crop.

Frequently asked questions

What is a carrot?
A carrot is a cultivated root vegetable grown for its edible taproot and usually classified as *Daucus carota* subsp. *sativus*.
What family does the carrot belong to?
Carrots belong to the Apiaceae family, which also includes parsley, celery, dill, and parsnip.
Why are carrots orange?
Orange carrots contain high levels of beta-carotene, a pigment that gives the root its colour and contributes to vitamin A activity.
Are all carrots orange?
No. Carrots can also be white, yellow, red, purple, black, or multicoloured.
Is the carrot plant annual or biennial?
It is generally biennial, but it is usually grown and harvested as a first-year crop.

References

  1. Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/plants-and-animals/plants/plants/carrot
    Supports: Carrot as a root vegetable; plant description; family; nutritional notes
  2. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/plant/carrot
    Supports: Scientific classification; herbaceous biennial plant; edible taproot
  3. CABI Compendium — https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/full/10.1079/cabicompendium.18018
    Supports: Carrot as a widely grown vegetable; biennial life cycle; origin from wild carrot
  4. Idaho Seed Guide — https://seedidguide.idseed.org/fact_sheets/32481/
    Supports: Domestication history; cultivated forms; global cultivation
  5. Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrot
    Supports: Colour variation; domesticated form; general overview