Sweet fennel, Finocchio
Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce

Family: Apiaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows over two years or can keep growing from year to year. It grows about 60 cm tall. There are 4 or 5 smooth stalks. They are hollow or with a white pith. The leaves are feathery and finely divided. The leaf stalks clasp the stem. The leaf base is enlarged and oval. The flowers are in large flat groups. They are yellow. The seeds are grey-brown.

There is only one Foeniculum species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Algeria, Australia, Balkans, East Africa, Europe, Germany, Italy, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Mozambique, North Africa, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The leaf base can be eaten raw or cooked. The chopped leaves can be eaten on fish and in salads. The seeds can be used as a spice.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.

Edible parts

Seeds - spice, vegetable

How it is grown

Seed are sown direclty where they are to grow. They are planted 15 cm apart in rows 30 cm apart. Plants are then thinned out to 25 cm apart. The soil is mounded up to blanch the bases.

Its other names

Local names

Florence fennel

Synonyms

Foeniculum dulce DC. non Mill.;