Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

On this page... (hide)

  1.   1.  Description
    1.   1.1  Growth
  2.   2.  Obtainment
  3.   3.  Uses
    1.   3.1  Edible
    2.   3.2  Medicine
  4.   4.  More
  5.   5.  'Souls
Common Name Fennel
Latin Name Foeniculum vulgare
Icon(s)
Click to view image

"Fennel flowers"
by Jamain
via Wikimedia Commons
Creative Commons: Some rights reserved

1.  Description

Fennel is a hardy, perennial, umbelliferous herb, with yellow flowers and feathery leaves. It is erect, glaucous green, and grows to heights of up to 2.5 m, with hollow stems. The leaves grow up to 40 cm long; they are finely dissected, with the ultimate segments filiform (threadlike), about 0.5 mm wide. The flowers are produced in terminal compound umbels 5–15 cm wide, each umbel section having 20–50 tiny yellow flowers.

1.1  Growth

Prefers to grow on dry soils near the sea-coast and on riverbanks.

2.  Obtainment

Very Common. It is indigenous to the shores of the Mediterranean but has become widely naturalized in many parts of the world.


Packs

3.  Uses

3.1  Edible

It is a highly aromatic and flavorful herb. Its aniseed flavour comes from anethole, an aromatic compound also found in anise and star anise, and its taste and aroma are similar to theirs, though usually not as strong.

  • Dried fennel seed is an aromatic, anise-flavoured spice, brown or green in colour when fresh, slowly turning a dull grey as the seed ages. For cooking, green seeds are optimal.
  • The leaves are delicately flavoured and similar in shape to those of dill.
  • The bulb is a crisp vegetable that can be sautéed, stewed, braised, grilled, or eaten raw.
  • Also used as a flavouring in some natural toothpastes.

3.2  Medicine

  • The essence of fennel can be used as a safe and effective herbal drug for primary dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation).
  • It can be used to relax the intestines and reduce bloating caused by digestive disorders.
  • It can also be used to ward off fleas and other insects.

4.  More

5.  'Souls

  • Hey, did your character do something cool with this plant?
  • Or maybe your pack has it for trade?


Categories: Flora | Resources