Fennel – Botanical Profile

Fennel

Foeniculum vulgare Mill., Apiaceae Family

Distribution and Habitat

Foeniculum vulgare is native to the Mediterranean region, especially southern Europe. Today, it is widely naturalized and cultivated in many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, North and South America, and Australia.

Fennel typically grows in sunny, dry environments. It is commonly found along roadsides, coastal areas, fields, and disturbed soils. The plant prefers well-drained soils and can tolerate poor, rocky ground, as well as some drought conditions.

Botanical and Morphological Description

• Root: Taproot
• Stem: Erect, hollow, grooved
• Leaves: Highly dissected, feathery (filiform segments); sheathing base
• Flowers: Small, yellow, actinomorphic, the calyx: Reduced or absent, corolla with 5 petals, 5 stamens, inferior ovary. The flowers are arranged in compound umbel inflorescence
• Fruit: Schizocarp splitting into two mericarps