Foeniculum vulgare
Foeniculum vulgare
Rezene
Erect, glabrous, glaucous perennial with sturdy, terete, finely ridged, branched stems, 1-1,8 m, strongly smelling of aniseed or liquorice. Basal leaves triangular or triangular-ovate, 3-4-pinnate up to 30 x 15 cm ; ultimate segments filiform, up to 40 x 0,5 mm; petioles broad, sheath-like; cauline leaves few, similar to basal but smaller. Rays 8-15, unequal, 10-40 mm. Bracts and bracteoles absent. Pedicels 1-7 mm. Flowers 18-25 per umbellule; petals yellow. Fruit ovoid-oblong, 4-4,5 x 0,5 mm, glabrous, with prominent ridges. Fl. 5-9. Dry slopes, Pinus forest, river banks, near cultivation,from near sea level to 1200 m.
W., S. & C. Europe, N. Africa, S.W. Asia eastwards to Nepal. Fennel is often cultivated and naturalized throughout its range.
