Sweet Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Apiaceae
- Genus:
- Foeniculum
- Species:
- Foeniculum vulgare
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Biennial | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 8-12 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may, jul, sep
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
- Food Forest:
- Plant contains edible parts
Native Range
United States: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Texas clearwing moth (Carmenta texana), Anise Swallowtail (Papilio zelicaon), Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes), Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon), Papilio bairdii
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to Mediterranean regions with dry summers