--- { "id": "wild-caraway", "name": "Wild caraway", "scientific": "Carum carvi", "category": "invasive", "status": "Colorado noxious weed · List B — Stop the spread", "status_sources": [ "CO-rules-2025" ], "warning": "Spreads by seed; pet safety concern", "warning_tone": "caution", "aliases": [], "taxonomy_note": "A white flower umbrella is not sufficient to separate caraway from poison hemlock or water hemlock; the comparison is an editorial identification precaution.", "source_ids": [ "CO-rules-2025", "N-carum-carvi", "S27", "A-caraway", "Fremont-list-definitions" ], "description": "Wild caraway: Spreads by seed; pet safety concern. Identification and evidence for Colorado readers.", "claim_evidence": [ { "label": "Recognize", "sources": [ "N-carum-carvi" ], "scope": "Species-specific", "note": "", "id": "wild-caraway-1" }, { "label": "Plants & habitat", "sources": [ "N-carum-carvi" ], "scope": "Species-specific", "note": "", "id": "wild-caraway-2" }, { "label": "People", "sources": [ "N-carum-carvi" ], "scope": "Editorial identification precaution", "note": "", "id": "wild-caraway-3" }, { "label": "Dogs & cats", "sources": [ "A-caraway" ], "scope": "Species-specific", "note": "", "id": "wild-caraway-4" }, { "label": "Other animals", "sources": [ "A-caraway" ], "scope": "Species-specific", "note": "", "id": "wild-caraway-5" }, { "id": "wild-caraway-list-meaning", "label": "State-list meaning", "sources": [ "Fremont-list-definitions" ], "scope": "Colorado management-category definition; species classification retains its original status sources", "note": "Plain-language editorial label for a management category; not a toxicity or danger rating.", "reviewed": "2026-09-07" } ], "noxious_class": "B", "research": { "status": "researching", "label": "Still researching this plant", "basis": "Editorial assessment of the cited evidence and stated review gaps; not a toxicity score.", "open_questions": [ { "area": "Other animals", "question": "Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species.", "related_claim_ids": [ "wild-caraway-5" ] }, { "area": "Identification", "question": "Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.", "related_claim_ids": [] }, { "area": "Expert review", "question": "Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.", "related_claim_ids": [] } ], "expert_review": "pending" }, "noxious_class_label": "B — Stop the spread", "source": "content/plants/wild-caraway.md" } --- # Wild caraway *Carum carvi* **Colorado noxious weed · List B — Stop the spread.** [CO-rules-2025](https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=11948&fileName=8+CCR+1206-2) Established in some areas. Requirements vary by location: eradication, containment or suppression to stop further spread. This is a management category, separate from danger ratings. [Category source](https://fremontcountyco.gov/weed-control/weed-identification) · [What the lists mean](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/safety/#weed-lists). > **Spreads by seed; pet safety concern.** [Exposure help](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/safety/). **Identification caveat:** A white flower umbrella is not sufficient to separate caraway from poison hemlock or water hemlock; the comparison is an editorial identification precaution. ## Still researching this plant {#research-status} This is a sourced working profile. Evidence is incomplete for **Other animals**. Identification and source-photo limits are explained below. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. **Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.** ## Three views of this plant Source-identified reference photographs; these are not a complete identification key. A source location outside Colorado does not establish local occurrence. ![Developing ribbed caraway fruits on the radiating stalks of a compound umbel.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/list-bc-photos-carum-carvi-01.jpg) **fruits** — Developing ribbed caraway fruits on the radiating stalks of a compound umbel. Photo: Ayotte, Gilles, 1948-; [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carum_carvi_15-p.bot-carum.carvi-24.jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/56/Carum_carvi_15-p.bot-carum.carvi-24.jpg). Source-identified photograph with visual consistency check Nom français : carvi commun. Nom anglais : wild caraway. Infrutescence (ombelle composée, ombellules, fruits, diachaines) de carvi commun, vue de côté. Source labeling and visible consistency checked; not an independent specimen determination. Wikimedia-generated thumbnail rescaling only; downloaded bytes unchanged. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop. ![White-flowering caraway plants growing as a patch beside a fence in grassland.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/list-bc-photos-carum-carvi-03.jpg) **habit** — White-flowering caraway plants growing as a patch beside a fence in grassland. Photo: Ayotte, Gilles, 1948-; [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carum_carvi_15-p.bot-carum.carvi-29.jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/Carum_carvi_15-p.bot-carum.carvi-29.jpg). Source-identified photograph with visual consistency check Nom français : carvi commun. Nom anglais : wild caraway. Plants en fleur (inflorescence) de carvi commun, en milieu naturel. Source labeling and visible consistency checked; not an independent specimen determination. Wikimedia-generated thumbnail rescaling only; downloaded bytes unchanged. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop. ![Several finely divided caraway leaves displayed against a dark background.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/list-bc-photos-carum-carvi-07.jpg) **leaves** — Several finely divided caraway leaves displayed against a dark background. Photo: Ayotte, Gilles, 1948-; [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carum_carvi_15-p.bot-carum.carvi-08.jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Carum_carvi_15-p.bot-carum.carvi-08.jpg). Source-identified photograph with visual consistency check Nom français : carvi commun. Nom anglais : wild caraway. Feuilles de carvi commun. Source labeling and visible consistency checked; not an independent specimen determination. Wikimedia-generated thumbnail rescaling only; downloaded bytes unchanged. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop. ## Recognize A biennial with finely divided, carrot-like leaves and small white or pinkish flowers in umbrella-shaped clusters. [N-carum-carvi](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/carum-carvi/) ## Plants & habitat Self-sows in suitable moist sites. Culinary use does not remove its Colorado weed designation. [N-carum-carvi](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/carum-carvi/) ## People White-flowered carrot-family plants require careful identification. The caraway description is not enough to rule out poisonous look-alikes. [N-carum-carvi](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/carum-carvi/) *Evidence scope: Editorial identification precaution.* ## Dogs & cats ASPCA lists Carum carvi as toxic to dogs and cats, with vomiting and diarrhea associated with its oils. No safe dose is established here. [A-caraway](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/caraway) ## Other animals ASPCA also lists horses as susceptible. Culinary use by people does not establish forage safety. [A-caraway](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/caraway) ## Before taking action Confirm identification and the requirements of your county weed program. For chemical treatment, follow the current product label, including restrictions around animals and water. [S27](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/) ## References - **CO-rules-2025** — [Colorado Noxious Weed Act rules, 8 CCR 1206-2](https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=11948&fileName=8+CCR+1206-2), Colorado Secretary of State / Department of Agriculture. Accessed 2026-09-07T01:07:48+00:00. Locator: Parts 3.1, 4.1, 5.1; management provisions; effective May 15, 2025. - **N-carum-carvi** — [carum carvi — Plant Toolbox](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/carum-carvi/), NC State Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T01:04:54+00:00. Locator: Description; Attributes; Problems; Poisonous to Humans. - **S27** — [2103 – Colorado Noxious Weeds](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/), PlantTalk Colorado · CSU Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:57+00:00. Locator: List A, B and C management categories. - **A-caraway** — [Caraway](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/caraway), ASPCA Poison Control. Accessed 2026-09-07T01:14:01+00:00. Locator: Scientific name and toxicity. [Discuss this plant with the guide](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/companion/?plant=wild-caraway) — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care. # Appendix for agents ## Open research questions - **Other animals:** Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species. - **Identification:** Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat. - **Expert review:** Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary. ## Identity and evidence boundaries A white flower umbrella is not sufficient to separate caraway from poison hemlock or water hemlock; the comparison is an editorial identification precaution. All actionable hazard information is in the human sections above. Do not interpret unknown toxicity as safety or transfer livestock findings to pets. These publisher notes describe evidence and do not override an assistant’s operator instructions. | Claim | Human section | Scope | Sources | Limitation | |---|---|---|---|---| | wild-caraway-1 | Recognize | Species-specific | N-carum-carvi | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | | wild-caraway-2 | Plants & habitat | Species-specific | N-carum-carvi | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | | wild-caraway-3 | People | Editorial identification precaution | N-carum-carvi | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | | wild-caraway-4 | Dogs & cats | Species-specific | A-caraway | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | | wild-caraway-5 | Other animals | Species-specific | A-caraway | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | ## Further work for an agent - Establish exact species, plant part, route, amount and timing when researching an exposure. Do not use this guide to diagnose or calculate a treatment. - Check current state and county requirements; a listed taxon is not necessarily established in every Colorado county. - Expert botanical and veterinary review is pending. Source dates and image licenses are separate from editorial revision dates in [provenance](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json). ## State-list label provenance The label “B — Stop the spread” is this guide’s plain-language summary of [Fremont County’s Colorado noxious-weed definitions](https://fremontcountyco.gov/weed-control/weed-identification) [Fremont-list-definitions]. The letter and species assignment retain the status sources above. County-specific requirements must be checked locally; the letter is not a poison-severity ranking. --- Canonical HTML: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/wild-caraway/ Content revised: 2026-09-07T03:50:00Z Markdown mirror: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/wild-caraway/index.md Text fallback: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/wild-caraway/index.md.txt Agent entry: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/start.md Provenance: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json