No one knows for sure how or why this wild carrot became known as Queen Anne’s Lace. The most famous – but unlikely – reason involves Anne, the queen consort of King James of English Bible fame.
According to this tale, Anne sponsored and participated in a contest for the creation of a lace pattern similar to the flower of this plant, her favorite; while working on her design, Anne pricked her finger and a drop of royal blood fell onto her lace, making it look like those wild carrot flowers that have a reddish floret center. In any case, the wild carrot in winter remains regal even when entombed in ice. (Brooklin, Maine)