Practical
Plants

Foeniculum vulgare azoricum

Florence Fennel

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.5 m
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

Skin contact with the sap or essential oil is said to cause photo-sensitivity and/or dermatitis in some people[16][17]. Ingestion of the oil can cause vomiting, seizures and pulmonary oedema[17].

Edible uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[24]. A delicious aniseed flavour, the young leaves are best since older ones become tough. They make a very nice addition to mixed salads[K]. Leaf stalks and stem base - raw, cooked or used as a flavouring in soups etc[23][26][10]. A strong, aniseed flavour[K]. They are often blanched before being eaten[10]. Very low in carbohydrates, proteins and fats[2]. Seeds raw or cooked. They have a delicious aniseed flavour and are used as a flavouring in cakes, bread etc[24][10]. Root - cooked[25]. The flavour is somewhat parsnip-like[K]. A herb tea can be made from the seeds or the leaves[5][10].

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root
Plant part
Seed
Plant part
Stem

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

Fennel is a commonly used household remedy, being useful in the treatment of a variety of complaints, especially those of the digestive system. The seeds, leaves and roots can be used, but the seeds are most active medicinally and are the part normally used[21]. An essential oil is often extracted from the seed for medicinal use, though it should not be given to pregnant women[21][18]. The plant is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, galactogogue, hallucinogenic, laxative, stimulant and stomachic[21][27][28][14][4][6][8][11][18]. Fennel is often added to purgatives in order to allay their tendency to cause gripe, and also to improve the flavour[21]. An infusion of the root is used to treat urinary disorders[18]. An essential oil obtained from the seed is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Normalising'[15]. The essential oil is bactericidal, carminative and stimulant[16]. Some caution is advised, see notes above on toxicity[17].

Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Antiinflammatory
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Aromatic
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Galactogogue
Product or use
Hallucinogenic
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Stomachic

Material uses

The seed yields up to 5% of an essential oil[1][21][22]. This is used medicinally, as a food flavouring, in toothpastes, soaps, perfumery, air fresheners etc[1][22][18]. The flavour of fennel oil depends upon its two main constituents. 'Fenchone' is a bitter tasting element whilst 'anethole' has a sweet anise-like flavour[18]. The proportions of these two ingredients varies according to strain and region. Plants growing in the Mediterranean and southern Europe usually have a sweet oil whilst plants growing in central and northern Europe usually produce a more bitter oil[18]. The quality of the oil also depends upon how well the seed has been dried - the oil from fully ripened and dried seeds being much sweeter and more fragrant[20]. The dried plant is an insect repellent[3][25], the crushed leaves are effective for keeping dogs free of fleas[13]. The plant was formerly used as a strewing herb[13]. Yellow and brown dyes are obtained from the flowers and leaves combined[7].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Repellent
Product or use
Strewing

Environment

Range
A cultivar of F. vulgare.
Habitat
Not found in the wild.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown in early spring in situ[1]. Division in March as the new growth appears[5][12].

Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils[1] but prefers a sunny dry position[12]. A cultivated form of F. vulgare, grown for its edible swollen leaf bases, there are some named varieties[10]. This is the genuine Florence fennel[12]. Attracts bees and hoverflies[19]. Fennel is a poor companion plant in the garden, it inhibits the growth of nearby plants, especially beans, tomatoes and kohl rabi[3][9]. It is itself inhibited by wormwood and coriander[3][9].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  2. Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth.

    ↩

  3. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩

  5. Simons. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-050-0

    ↩1↩2

  6. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩

  7. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

    ↩

  8. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩

  9. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  10. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  11. Emboden. W. Narcotic Plants Studio Vista 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-289-70864-8

    ↩

  12. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  13. Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

    ↩1↩2

  14. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩

  15. Westwood. C. Aromatherapy - A guide for home use. Amberwood Publishing Ltd 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-9517723-0-9

    ↩

  16. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2

  17. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3

  18. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  19. Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

    ↩

  20. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  21. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  22. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  23. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

    ↩

  24. Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn 1980-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  25. De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden.

    ↩1↩2

  26. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  27. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩

  28. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩

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