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 alternate, blades broadly triangular in outline, most 20-40cm long x 15-30cm wide, finely dissected (4-5x pinnatisect) with lobes 1-2cm long x 0.1-0.3mm wide; umbels compound 5-9cm wide; schizocarps pf two single seeded achene-like mericarps, most 3-5 x 1.3-2mm wide, licorice taste.
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, Medicinal plant, Perennial border, Summer interest, Wildlife food
Additional Info:
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, Root rot, Slugs or snails (Drought tolerant)
