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Fennel

©Epicnom

Fennel

Fennel has feathery leaves and open, umbels of yellow flowers. It was probably introduced by the Romans for culinary use, and is now a naturalised species of verges, waste ground and sand dunes.

Enw gwyddonol

Foeniculum vulgare

Pryd i'w gweld

July to October

Species information

Ystadegau

Height: up to 2m
Introduced, but naturalised species.

Ynghylch

With feathery leaves and open, umbrella-like clusters of yellow flowers, Fennel is a distinctive member of the carrot family (umbellifer). It favours grassy, disturbed ground and can be seen along roadside verges, and on waste grounds and sand dunes. Probably introduced by the Romans as a herb for cooking and medicine, it is certainly widely naturalised today, and can be seen flowering between July and October.

Sut i'w hadnabod

Fennel has grey-green foliage with thread-like leaves that smell of aniseed. Its loose umbels of yellow flowers appear at the ends of branched stems.

Dosbarthiad

Mainly found in Central and Southern England, and along the Welsh coast.

Roeddech chi yn gwybod?

The seeds of Fennel are still regularly used in cooking today and are sometimes provided as an after-dinner treat in Indian restaurants.