Carrots originated in Afghanistan and possibly northern Iran and Pakistan.

Queen Anne's Lace is wild carrot which interpollinates readily with carrot and occurs in disturbed ecological areas (roadsides, vacant lots, etc.) all around the world in temperate regions with adequate moisture.

In 900 - 1000 AD: Purple and yellow carrots had been spread from Afghanistan to the eastern Mediterranean.

In 1300s: Purple and yellow carrots in western Europe and China.

In 1600s: Yellow carrots in Japan.

In 1700s: In addition to purple and yellow, white carrots were reported in Europe with an orange type first reported in The Netherlands and adjoining regions.

Today: Orange carrots predominate world-wide although some white types persist in western and eastern Europe (for livestock), some red (not orange) in Japan, some yellow and purple in the Mideast, and some purple, yellow, and red from Turkey to India and China.