Fennel, Common fennel
Foeniculum vulgare

Family: Apiaceae

What it is like

A green leafy perennial herb. It can be 2 m high and 45 cm wide. The leaves are very fine. They have a feathery appearance. The stems are ribbed and at the bottom of the stalks there is a broad green section. When the leaves are crushed, they smell like aniseed. The flower at the top is a group of small yellow flowers. The seeds are oval and ribbed and about 5 mm long. Ripe fruit are wingless which distinguishes it from dill. There are several named cultivated varieties.

There is only one Foeniculum species. It can be invasive.

Where it is found

A temperate plant. It grows well in a Mediterranean climate. It grows well on dry and stony calcareous soils. It grows up to at least 2200 m altitude in the tropics. It grows better during the drier season at altitudes over 500 m. In Papua New Guinea is grows between 1,400-2,200 m above sea level. It is cultivated but also easily grows wild. It is frost hardy. It grows in Nepal to about 2400 m altitude. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 5-10. Tasmania Herbarium. In Hobart Botanical gardens. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Balkans, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Caucasus, Central America, Central Asia, Chile, China, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Crete, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, Egypt - Sinai, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Europe (country/location of origin), Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Lithuania, Macedonia, Marquesas, Mediterranean (country/location of origin), Malaysia, Mali, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Niue, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, NW India, Norway, Pacific, Pakistan, Palestine, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Reunion, Russia, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Sicily, Sinai, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sri Lanka, St Helena, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Thailand, Tibet, Timor-Leste, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The top leaves can be boiled and eaten as a flavouring. The young tender central portion and the leaf bases can be chopped and eaten. The root can be cooked and eaten. (It is used in medicine) The seeds can be used as a flavouring. They are used to flavour bread and cakes and in stuffings. It is used in sauces, sausages, stews and salads.

It is sold in local markets. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Seeds, leaves, bulb, herb, spice, vegetable, oil, roots, flowers, tea

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. These can be transplanted. The rootstock of established plants can be used to start new plants. A spacing of 50 cm apart between plants is suitable. (Dill and fennel can cross pollinate and the flavours mix.)

Its other names

Local names

Adas, Adeh manih, Arapcaci, Asi, Badishep, Badisopu, Besbas, Dereotu, Elbesbas, Fenchel, Fenneru, Fenocchio salvacce, Fenouil, Finocchio selvatico, Fonoll, Funcho, Hades, Hinojo, Hinojo amargo, Horom samit. Hui xiang, Jintan manis, Jira, Kagelanay, K'ama, Kokar ot, Komorac, Lebgoul, Madhurica, Maduru, Maraho, Masara, Masaro, Mauri, Millua, Morac, Mouri, Navadni komarček, Orla, Panmuhori, Peddajilakara, Phak chi, Rezene, Samon-saba, Samouk-saba, Saunf, Shamar, Shepu, Shombu, Shumar, Sonf, Sonp, Sopu, Sounp, Tseretso, Variari, Variyali, Vinkel, Wamssa, Yi ra, Yira

Synonyms

Anethum dulce DC.; Anethum foeniculum L.; Anethum minus Gouan; Anethum panmori Roxb.; Anethum pannorium Roxburgh; Anethum piperitum Ucria; Anethum ruprestre Salisb.; Foeniculum azoricum Mill.; Foeniculum capillaceum Gilib.; [Invalid] Foeniculum divaricatum Griseb.; Foeniculum dulce Mill.; Foeniculum officinale All..; Foeniculum scoparium Quezel; and others