Herb. No. 048 · Apiaceae
Coastal Mediterranean umbellifer, naturalized on waste ground worldwide.
Native · Mediterranean
Native Also grownNow a garden plant worldwide
OpenGentleplant
Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare
Anise-sweet seed for gas, colic folklore, and after-dinner breath.
Sweet fennel seed is a classic carminative. The bulb (Florence fennel) is food. Identify carefully — feathery Apiaceae include deadly lookalikes. Culinary seed is the form with the longest kitchen record.
Flavor
Sweet licorice and warm green anise. Seed is sweeter than leaf.
Parts used
Ripe seed · Bulb and frond as food
In favor
- Delicious
- Easy from seed
- Seeds store well
Against
- Lookalikes in the wild
- Estrogenic reputation — caution in hormone-sensitive disease