Wild Caraway is grown in Western Canada as a spice crop. However, it escaped cultivation and has been invading areas for several years now.

It is currently an aggressive nuisance weed that is increasing in numbers throughout the west side of our county. It is a noxious weed in Clearwater County and Mountain View County, and may soon become a noxious weed in Lacombe County.

• Distinguishable by its parsley look and white flowers.
• Develops a narrow taproot, like a carrot, while it grows in a variety of soil types.
• Several stems are attached to each plant, with the leaves alternately arranged on the stem and finely divided.
• The flowers are white but occasionally have a pinkish tinge. They occur in groups and cluster at the top of the stems.
• Plant height ranges from 60cm to 90cm.
• A similar plant often mistaken for Wild Caraway is Wild Carrot. The easiest way to distinguish between the two plants is the flowers on the stem. Wild Caraway is either bractless or has one to three bracts, whereas Wild Carrot has a distinct whorl of widely divided bracts. Wild Caraway also flowers in late spring to early summer, much earlier than Wild Carrot.

Wild Caraway has a two year life cycle and begins growth in early spring. It produces a low growing rosette of leaves in its first year of growth, and then a flowering white stalk in its second year. The weed can flower a third year before it dies and the seedlings can even handle some spring flooding and mild frost.

Wild Caraway reproduces by seed. The plant prefers full sun and well-drained soils.

• Under ideal conditions, each plant may produce several thousand seeds.
• The seeds are oblong, brown, have five tan ribs, and a unique scent.
• As livestock will not eat it, if left uncontrolled Wild Caraway will displace other vegetation surrounding the weed.

The best control option for Wild Caraway is to stop the plant from going to seed. In addition, the plant is easiest to control in its first year of growth with a residual herbicide. Repeated mowing has proven ineffective as the plant continues to flower closer and closer to the ground allowing for seed dispersion to take its course. Hand-pulling is effective as it does not have an intricate rooting system. If the weed has gone to seed, be sure to bag it and dispose of it in a landfill, or incinerate it on site. Check your Crop Protection Guide for herbicide advice.