Fennel

Description:

Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare, is a hardy perennial herb with hollow stem, 1,5 m tall, belonging to carrot family (Apiaceae, earlier Umbelliferae). Leaves are composed and highly dissected, dill-like.The flowers are small and yellow, regrouped in terminal compound umbels >10cm wide.

Habitat:

Found in calcareous rocky terrain close to sea. Fennel in native to Mediterranean region.

Notes:

This is a strongly aromatic and flavorful herb with many culinary and medicinal uses. The wild fennel has edible and aromatic leaves and fruits, and is one of ingredients of absinthe. Florence fennel or finocchio is a selection with a swollen, bulb-like stem base that is used as a vegetable.