Foeniculum vulgare dulce

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Foeniculum vulgare
Light:Full Sun
Moisture:Xeric Mesic
Hardiness:7
Soil pH:5.6-8.4
Self Pollinated
Height:5'
Blooms:Late Summer-Mid Fall
Edible Rating:PFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating:PFAF Medicinal RatingPFAF Medicinal RatingPFAF Medicinal Rating
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Foeniculum vulgare dulce (common name: sweet 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 cultivar of F. vulgare, this is not the genuine Florence fennel since it does not have swollen leaf stems[3]. It is used in much the same way as fennel. See F. vulgare azoricum for the genuine Florence fennel[K].

The flowers attract bees and hoverflies[4].

Fennel is a poor companion plant in the garden, it inhibits the growth of nearby plants, especially beans, tomatoes and kohl rabi[5][6]. It is itself inhibited by wormwood and coriander[5][6].

Range: A cultivar of F. vulgare.

Habitat: Not found in the wild.

Edibility: Leaves - raw or cooked[7]. A delicious aniseed flavour[8], the young leaves are best since older ones soon become tough. They are often used as a garnish on raw or cooked dishes or added to salads[8]. The leaves are difficult to store dried[3].

Leaf stalks and flower heads - raw or cooked[5][9][7][8]. An aniseed flavour[K].

The aromatic seeds are used as a flavouring in cakes, bread, stuffings etc[10][11][12][13][14][8]. The sprouted seeds can be added to salads[8].

An essential oil from the seed is used as a food flavouring in similar ways to the whole seed[1][15][8].

Root - cooked[16]. The flavour is somewhat parsnip-like.

The leaves or the seeds can be used to make a herb tea[2][8].

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[11]. An essential oil is often extracted from the seed for medicinal use, though it should not be given to pregnant women[11][17]. The plant is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, galactogogue, hallucinogenic, laxative, stimulant and stomachic[11][18][19][13][20][21][22][23][17]. Fennel is often added to purgatives in order to allay their tendency to cause gripe, and also to improve the flavour[11].

An infusion of the root is used to treat urinary disorders[17].

An essential oil obtained from the seed is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Normalising'[24]. The essential oil is bactericidal, carminative and stimulant[25]. Some caution is advised, see notes above on toxicity[26].

Usage: The seed yields up to 5% of an essential oil[1][11][15]. This is used medicinally, as a food flavouring, in toothpastes, soaps, perfumery, air fresheners etc[1][15][17]. 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[17]. 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[17]. 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[27].

The dried plant is an insect repellent[5][16], the crushed leaves are effective for keeping dogs free of fleas[28]. The plant was formerly used as a strewing herb[28].

Yellow and brown dyes are obtained from the flowers and leaves combined[29].

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[25][26]. Ingestion of the oil can cause vomiting, seizures and pulmonary oedema[26].

Also Known As: F. dulce. DC. non Mill.

Links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Simons, Arthur. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin, 1977.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
  4. ↑ Baines, Chris. Making a Wildlife Garden.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Hylton, Josie and William Holtom. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press, 1979.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Philbrick, Helen and Richard Gregg. Companion Plants. Watkins, 1979.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Larkcom, Joy. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn, 1980.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
  9. ↑ Thompson, Robert. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son, 1878.
  10. ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
  12. ↑ Mabey, Richard. Food for Free. Collins, 1974.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
  14. ↑ Vilmorin-Andrieux. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 de Bray, Lys. The Wild Garden.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
  18. ↑ Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
  19. ↑ Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
  20. ↑ Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press.
  21. ↑ Mills, Simon. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
  22. ↑ Yeung, Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, 1985.
  23. ↑ Emboden, William. Narcotic Plants. Studio Vista, 1979.
  24. ↑ Westwood, Christine. Aromatherapy - A Guide for Home Use. Amberwood Publishing, 1993.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.
  27. ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Allardice, Pamela. A-Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers, 1993.
  29. ↑ Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.


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