Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a perennial herb with a feathery appearance that can grow up to 6 feet tall. It has smooth, dark green leaves with narrow lobes that are finely dissected, giving it a similar appearance to dill. Fennel’s flowers are small and yellow, and bloom in mid- to late summer, followed by aromatic seeds. The seeds are oblong-oval and smell and taste similar to anise.
Fennel is native to Europe and Asia Minor, but is also cultivated in temperate and subtropical regions of Asian countries, as well as in the US and Britain. It can grow well in mild climates, but prolonged cloudy weather at the time of flowering can lead to pests and diseases.
Fennel has many uses, including:
- Food: The blanched shoots can be eaten as a vegetable, and the seeds can be used to flavor candies, liqueurs, medicines, and foods like pastries, sweet pickles, and fish. Fennel tea can help with constipation, bowel infections, gas, and breastmilk production.
- Perfume: The seeds and extracted oil can be used to scent soaps and perfumes.
- Butterflies: Fennel flowers attract butterflies, and some swallowtail butterflies use it as a larval plant.
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