Fennel

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is an erect biennial or annual herb that grows up to 2.5 m high with a stout, branched taproot. It has a strong aniseed scent.  The stems are robust and striated with white, spongy pith. The leaves are 30-50 cm long, alternately arranged and appear feathery because of many thread-like segments. The petiole (leaf stalk) is hollow. The clusters of 10-30 flowers are in large umbrella-like arrangements at the end of the branches and are 7-15 cm in diameter. The petals are yellow and about 1 mm long sitting on top of the small, flattened and ribbed ovary. The fruit is 5-7 mm long with 2 flattened sections which have 5 ribs each