Also Known As: Bisnaga

Botanical Name: Ammi visnaga or possibly A. majus

Pronunciation: AM-mee vis-NA-ga (AM-mee MAY-jus)

Family Name: Umbelliferae (parsley)

Origin: Northeastern Africa, Eurasia, naturalized in NA

Common Relatives: fennel, parsley, dill

Introduction: Possibly out of sibling rivalry, false Queen Anne’s lace is similar in appearance to the true Queen Anne’s lace, but is more than just a lovely lacey flower blanketing roadsides and meadows with flowers that last up to 5 days. As a relative of fennel, parsley and dill, it’s no surprise that this perennial is grown for food and flavoring. False Queen Anne’s lace is also used to treat asthma and sleep apnea, and has the ability to stimulate pigment production.

Interesting Facts:

• The root of this plant was chewed by North Africans travelling the caravan routes to protect them from the sun because it stimulates pigment production.
• The more common Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota var carota) is another species in the same family but has only white flowers. Often listed as A. majus which is known as Bishop's Weed.
• A common cultivar is 'Green Mist' which, as the name suggests, has green flowers.
• Because stems are easily water-stressed, it does not perform well in floral foam unless stems are cut short.
• Often seen growing wild and in abundance in fields and on roadsides. Plants of this family often exhibit strong or pungent odors, many grown for food, flavoring and medicinal reasons while some are also grown for ornamental purposes.

• Tiny flowers in flat clusters with a lacey appearance
• Plant is a herbaceous perennial, dicotyledon, leaves not parallel veined

Flower Color: white to green

Fragrance: none

Decorative Life: 3-5 days

Special Care Tips: Remove bottom leaves if present, recut stems under water and place into a fresh flower food solution.

Ethylene Sensitivity: likely but unknown