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Common Name: Giant Fennel

General Information

Ferula communis is a perennial plant that can grow up to 2.50 metres tall.
It has edible, medicinal and miscellaneous uses.

Known Hazards

A resin obtained from the plant is used medicinally, but in larger doeses can be harmful. It contains coumarin and other anti-nutritional factors and can cause internal and external haemorrhages, loss of vitamin K, anorexia, diarrhoea, weakness, hypothermia and hypoprothrombinuria[].

Botanical References

,

Range

Europe - Mediterranean.

Habitat

Dry hills, walls, waste ground and limestone[], often in soils that are damp in the spring[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	2.50 m
Pollinators	Flies
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most soils[] including dry ones according to one report[] whilst others say that it requires a deep moist fertile soil in a sunny position[, ]. Established plants are drought resistant[].
This species is hardy to about -10°c, possibly lower if the rootstock is mulched in the winter[].
A very ornamental plant[], though the flowers have a most unpleasant rancid smell[].
Plants are often monoecious[].
Plants are intolerant of root disturbance due to their long taproot[]. They should be planted into their final positions as soon as possible.
The sub-species brevifolia is the form used for its gum[, , , ].

Edible Uses

Leaves[]. No further details are given.

Medicinal

A resin obtained from the plant is sedative and also used in the treatment of diabetes[].

Other Uses

A gum 'Gum Ammoniac' is obtained by notching the root[, , , ]. It is used as an incense[], it also has medicinal value[].

The stems are used in furniture making[].

The dried pith is used as a tinder, it burns very slowly inside the stem and can thus be carried from one place to another[, , ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as the seed is ripe in a greenhouse in autumn[]. Otherwise sow in mid spring in a greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Plant them out into their permanent positions whilst still small because the plants dislike root disturbance[]. Give the plants a protective mulch for at least their first winter outdoors.
Division in autumn. This may be inadvisable due to the plants dislike of root disturbance.