FENNEL, Foeniculum officinale, a perennial plant of the family Umbelliferae, from 2 to 3 or (when cultivated) 4f t. in height, having leaves three or four times pinnate, with numerous linear or awl-shaped segments, and glaucous compound umbels of about 15 or ao rays, with no involucres, and small yellow flowers, the petals incurved at the tip.
The fruit is laterally compressed, five-ridged, and has a large single resin-canal or "vitta" under each furrow. The plant appears to be of south European origin, but is now met with in various parts of Britain and temperate Europe generally, and western Asia. The dried fruits of cultivated plants from Malta have an aromatic taste and odour, and are used for the preparation of fennel water, valued for its carminative prop erties. The shoots of fennel are eaten blanched, and the seeds are used for flavouring.
Giant fennel is the name ap plied to Ferula communis, a member of the same family, and a fine herbaceous plant, often cultivated, native to the Medi terranean region, where the pith of the stem, which grows 8 ft. to Ia ft. high, is used for tinder. Hog's or sow fennel (Pucedanum officinale) is another member of the Umbelliferae.