This hardy esculent-rooted biennial was introduced, in the cultivated form, from Holland during the 16th Century. The now familiar orange carrot is, in fact, not the true and original colour of the carrot. Before the 17th century, carrots were available in purple, white and yellow; the modern deep orange varieties are actually a mutation of the purple form. James Scarlet Intermediate is a reliable old favourite for maincrop and exhibition use. It has broad shoulders for easy lifting which taper to long roots of deep orange which rarely split.