Foeniculum vulgare Mill.

Spice In the field

Family: UMBELLIFERAE (APIACEAE)

Genus: Foeniculum

Catalan common name: Fonoll. Fonollera. Herba de les vinyes.

Spanish common name: Hinojo.

Province distribution: Alacant. Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Castelló. Girona. Lleida. Tarragona. València.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza. Formentera. Cabrera.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

Uses and properties: Aromatic. Edible or foodstuffs. Medicinal.

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Hemicryptophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones.

Characteristics: Fennel is one of the most common Umbelliferae in abandoned arable land and along roadsides. It can be distinguished by it leaves, divided into slim segments, the inflorescences which are a greenish-yellow and, above all, by its strong smell of liquorice.