SafePlants

Ammi majus: A Detailed Look

Ammi majus, also known by several common names including Bishop's Weed, Large Bullwort, Queen Anne's Lace, and Bishop's Flower, is an interesting plant with a variety of uses and characteristics.

Considerations for Pets

• The text mentions the plant contains furanocoumarins, chemicals that may cause skin irritation.

Considerations for Children

• The text mentions the plant contains furanocoumarins, chemicals that may cause skin irritation.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Ammi majus L.
• Family: Apiaceae (also known as Umbelliferae or Carrot family)
• Synonyms: Ammi vulgare majus, Ammi volgare
• Taxonomic Rank: Species
• Group: Dicot

Common Names

• Bishop's Weed
• Large Bullwort
• Queen Anne's Lace (though often distinguished as False Queen Anne's Lace)
• Bishop's Flower
• Greater Ammi
• Lady's Lace
• Laceflower
• White Lace Flower

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Described as a forb/herb (a non-woody plant that is not a grass).
• It can be either a half-hardy annual or a half-hardy biennial.
• Grows to a height of 2-8 dm (decimeters).
• Features pinnately divided leaves.
• Produces large, branched umbels of small creamy-white flowers in summer.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• The plant attracts insects; the text mentions co-occurrence of *O. insidiosus* and *O. pumilio* in weekly collections from its flower heads.
• It is also identified as a larger bee attraction.

Chemical Components

• The plant contains large amounts of furanocoumarin chemicals.
• Other components mentioned include caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, cinnamic acid, ferulic acid, gallic acid, methoxsalen, oxypeucedanin, phenolic acids, psoralens, tannic acid, and vanillic acid.

Resources and Further Information

• Information is available from the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society).
• Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Universit di Trieste - Progetto Dryades