PlantFiles: False Queen Anne's Lace, Bishop's Weed, White Dill
Ammi majus

I bought some seed of this plant because it is purported to be a non-invasive and useful alternative to Queen Anne's Lace. I have not yet planted the seed and have no growing experience with it. After buying the seed I researched and see that some sources say it is "non-invasive" but others say it can naturalize. This site provided me some alarming info: [HYPERLINK@texnat.tamu.edu] "Bishop’s-weed contains a furocoumarin in all parts of the plant, but it is especially concentrated in the seed. The compound is photoactive, causing primary photosensitization in cattle, sheep and birds. All animals consuming the seed should be considered at risk." If you are considering planting you should read the entire site entry because the toxicity effects can be a serious. As for me, I live in the country near grazing livestock and have decided to not introduce a plant with naturalizing potential that carries such a risk. Perhaps someone else can speak to this more?

I have experienced an invasion by Queen Anne's Lace, but I have to say that my experience was not as fraught as others...I saw one posting that said to dead head...and they are absolutely right. The bloom period for QAL can be extended by deadheading...but the umbells tend to become smaller with each incarnation... They are beautiful plants, I also have Bishop's Weed... I like it too, and all I have to do to control it is rip it out...and keep ripping it out!!!lol. I use it as a ground cover/foundation planting around the north side of my house... when it sends up its flower stems I pick them off. if all else fails run a lawn mower or weed eater over it... Of all the plants in my front garden the QAL drew the most comment. If cut flowers are what you want...they will be just fine if you cut them back. I prefer to leave most of them in the garden and pull the whole plant once the bloom begins to "head-up" and fold in on itself...don't compost them...bag them or burn them...or you will have an infestation. They are tap rooted, so a good tug is needed to dislodge them..they are forgiving of poor soil, but not poor drainage. Another roadside plant I've been trying to incorporate into my 'native plant' garden is beautiful blue (roadside) chicory... I like to concentrate on native species because they are drought tolerant and hardy...it took me a while to get smart but now I fill my gardens with native plants and they put on a good show...If you don't mind a little thinning and trimming I would say you will be surprised at how well you can incorporate the plants that some gardeners like to call "thugs".

I'm not sure some of the notes here are accurate. Here is what I found on a site called wildflowerinformation.org about Ammi majus:

This is the "other" Queen Anne's Lace. The more common one, Daucus carota, the roadside weed in all 50 states, is considered an invasive pest in many areas, so probably should not be planted, although you may end up with it naturally in your meadow. This species (Ammi majus) is also called Bishop's Flower, and is an annual, while the more common one is biennial. This species (Ammi majus) is not invasive, but it can be toxic to animals, so keep that in mind. Very easy to grow, and great for cutting.

Some of the people here may be growing Daucus carota instead of Ammi majus. I'm no expert for sure, but that's what it sounds like. Both of these grow along the roadsides in Arkansas, sometimes right together in the same spot....the Daucus carota is always more plentiful and widespread than the Ammi majus. I've examined them both and I'm positive that there is a difference. I saved some seed from the Ammi majus that grows along the road that my mom's cabin is on, and I just sowed them today. I'm hoping that the people who have given such dire warnings are actually mistaken and are growing Daucus carota!

When I was about 8 my mother was quite taken with this plant in a neighbor's garden and thrilled to death to be offered some of the "lovely groundcover".

By the time I was a teenager she was regularly cursing it. She'd planted it at one end of the flowerbed and it ate the entire space, impossible to slow down or get rid of, smothering everything else she tried to plant there.

Beware.

False Queen Anne's Lace, Bishop's Weed, White Dill Ammi majus is Naturalized in Texas and other States.

I work at a retail nursery and frequently hear customers comment on how hard and confusing latin names are. However, common names can be even more so, especially when they are used for many different flowers!

Aegopodium podograria is the latin name for the Bishop's Weed that certainly is an aggressive groundcover, even noxious when it is where you don't want it. Many years ago, I inadvertantly brought some back with other plants from my mom and still pull a sprig or two each year.

Ammi majus is the latin name for Bishop's Lace, Bishop's Weed, or False Queen Anne's Lace. It is used in many floral arrangements. This will be my first year growing it and I hope it will add some airy white to the garden. While it is suppose to reseed, deadheading should help limit that. Hopefully I won't rue the day I planted it!

Daucus carota is the latin name for the Queen Anne's Lace commonly found along the roadside. It can be invasive and yet serves a great purpose as a host plant for black swallowtail butterflies.

I haven't had problems with this seeding everywhere, but I cut it back before it could. The flowers are very pretty, but I can see how it could easily get out of hand.

I have read that it grows in zones 3-9 (annual). Light aids germination of seeds.

Verty difficult to contain in a garden and escapes the garden readily. I do not recomend it

horrible horrible plant , extreemly invaisive . You will rue the day you plant this in your garden( I don't know why anyone would do that on purpose!). This plant was growing in my yard when we built our house 28 years ago and I still can't get rid of it . laura

This plant will take over your garden if it is not contained. It spreads by both seed and side roots. A small patch of it was in our garden when we moved into our home 10 yrs ago and it has now taken over every perrenial bed in our entire 1 acre lot. I would avoid this species like the plague. Once it's in your garden it is impossible to get rid of. We've tried everything. Even poured gasoline over it and set it on fire. I suppose in the right setting it might be good, say on a hilly slope to stop soil erosion, but once again, you'd have to dead head all those white queen anne's lace type flowers before they set seed or next year you'll find it in other beds and it's really tough to pull out. Some people are allergic to the leaves and complain of a poison ivy type rash. It strangles everything in it's path once it takes hold... say goodby to your poppies, delphiniums and other cherished perennials.