Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a hardy, perennial, umbelliferous herb, with yellow flowers and feathery leaves that grows wild in most parts of temperate Europe, to heights of up to 2.5 m. The leaves grow up to 40 cm long. They are finely dissected, with the ultimate segments filiform, about 0.5 mm wide. The flowers are produced in terminal compound umbels 5-15 cm wide, each umbel section having 20-50 tiny yellow flowers on short pedicels. The fruit is a dry seed from 4-10 mm long, half as wide or less, and grooved. All parts of the plant are edible: leaves, stems, seeds and roots. Fennel seeds are used as a condiment. The leaves have an anise-like flavor and the stems can be eaten like celery.

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