Foeniculum vulgare azoricum
| Foeniculum vulgare | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 5' |
| Blooms: | Late Summer-Mid Fall |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Foeniculum vulgare azoricum (common name: florence fennel)
Propagation: Seed - best sown in early spring in situ[1].
Division in March as the new growth appears[2][3].
Cultivation: Succeeds in most soils[1] but prefers a sunny dry position[3].
A cultivated form of F. vulgare, grown for its edible swollen leaf bases, there are some named varieties[4]. This is the genuine Florence fennel[3].
Attracts bees and hoverflies[5].
Fennel is a poor companion plant in the garden, it inhibits the growth of nearby plants, especially beans, tomatoes and kohl rabi[6][7]. It is itself inhibited by wormwood and coriander[6][7].
Range: A cultivar of F. vulgare.
Habitat: Not found in the wild.
Edibility: Leaves - raw or cooked[8]. 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[9][10][4]. A strong, aniseed flavour[K]. They are often blanched before being eaten[4]. Very low in carbohydrates, proteins and fats[11].
Seeds raw or cooked. They have a delicious aniseed flavour and are used as a flavouring in cakes, bread etc[8][4].
Root - cooked[12]. The flavour is somewhat parsnip-like[K].
A herb tea can be made from the seeds or the leaves[2][4].
Medicinal: 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[13]. An essential oil is often extracted from the seed for medicinal use, though it should not be given to pregnant women[13][14]. The plant is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, galactogogue, hallucinogenic, laxative, stimulant and stomachic[13][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][14]. Fennel is often added to purgatives in order to allay their tendency to cause gripe, and also to improve the flavour[13].
An infusion of the root is used to treat urinary disorders[14].
An essential oil obtained from the seed is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Normalising'[22]. The essential oil is bactericidal, carminative and stimulant[23]. Some caution is advised, see notes above on toxicity[24].
Usage: The seed yields up to 5% of an essential oil[1][13][25]. This is used medicinally, as a food flavouring, in toothpastes, soaps, perfumery, air fresheners etc[1][25][14]. 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[14]. 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[14]. 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[26].
The dried plant is an insect repellent[6][12], the crushed leaves are effective for keeping dogs free of fleas[27]. The plant was formerly used as a strewing herb[27].
Yellow and brown dyes are obtained from the flowers and leaves combined[28].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates strong winds
Seed Ripens: Early Fall-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: Skin contact with the sap or essential oil is said to cause photo-sensitivity and/or dermatitis in some people[23][24]. Ingestion of the oil can cause vomiting, seizures and pulmonary oedema[24].
Also Known As: F. azoricum.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Simons, Arthur. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin, 1977.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Baines, Chris. Making a Wildlife Garden.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Hylton, Josie and William Holtom. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press, 1979.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Philbrick, Helen and Richard Gregg. Companion Plants. Watkins, 1979.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Larkcom, Joy. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn, 1980.
- ↑ Tutin, Tom et al.. Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, 1964.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Corbetta, Francisco. The COmplete Book of Fruits and Vegetables. 1985.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 de Bray, Lys. The Wild Garden.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press.
- ↑ Mills, Simon. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
- ↑ Yeung, Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, 1985.
- ↑ Emboden, William. Narcotic Plants. Studio Vista, 1979.
- ↑ Westwood, Christine. Aromatherapy - A Guide for Home Use. Amberwood Publishing, 1993.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 Allardice, Pamela. A-Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers, 1993.
- ↑ Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.