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Scientific Name:
Foeniculum vulgare
Pronunciation:
fuh-NICK-you-lum vul-GAIR-ee
Common Name:
fennel
Family Name:
Apiaceae
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Leaves are finely dissected, stiff, with a licorice taste, most 20-40cm long with lobes <1mm wide.

Habit:
Dense, Spreading, Stiffly upright
Form:
Oval - vertical
Texture:
Fine
Mature Height:
1.3 - 2.0m
Mature Spread:
0.6 - 1.0m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Europe
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 4: (-34 to -29 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Water Use:
Low
Landscape Uses:
Accent plant, Attract beneficial insects, Attract butterflies, Fragrance, Herb, Perennial border, Summer interest, Wildlife food
Additional Info:
Google. Cultivars shown include F. 'Purpureum' and Florence fennel bulb. Compare to dill.

Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Compound
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Distinctive smell
Compound Leaf:
Odd-pinnate
Colour in Summer:
Green, Purple
Colour in Fall:
Green, Purple
Shapes:
Filiform
Margins:

Inflorescence Type:
Umbel, Floriferous
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Rotate/stellate
Ovary Position:
Inferior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Yellow
Flower Scent:
Fragrant, Sweet
Flower Time at Peak:
Jul, Aug, Sep

Fruit Type:
Achene, Schizocarp
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Not showy, Mericarps are achene-like and each contain one edible seed

Bark or Stem Colour:
Green
Organ Modifications:
Bulbs, florence fennel (Azoricum group) produces edible bulbs
Propagation:
Seed
Maintenance:
Low
Pest Susceptibility:
Aphids or adelgids, Root rot, Slugs or snails (Drought tolerant)

Course(s):
  • HORT 1155
Location(s):
  • (BUG)  BUG garden
  • (PHA)  PolyHouse and Area
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