Fennel

Foeniculum vulgare except var. azoricum

Description

A perennial herb that grows 1 to 2 meters tall and has a strong anise-like odor (similar to licorice). Its branching stems are waxy and smooth. Leaves can grow up to a foot long and have a feather- or thread-like appearance. It bears yellow, five-petaled flowers that grow in a large compound, with the flower stalks all arising from a common point.

Habitat

Dry slopes and ridges, in openings in chaparral (dry, shrubby habitat), along roads, trails, and riverbanks, and in fields and waste sites

Distribution

West of the Cascades

Impacts

Displaces native or desirable vegetation

Dispersal Methods

Water, vehicles, machinery, wool, animal fur, clothing, mud, and agricultural produce

Prevention

Look for fennel in areas of high disturbance, such as along roads, trails and riverbanks, in fields, chaparral and waste areas, and on dry slopes and ridges. It can be identified easily by its strong odor.

Listings

Not listed

Factsheets

California Invasive Plant Council Fact Sheet

Photos

http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?query_src=photos_index&where-taxon=Foeniculum+vulgare

Distribution Map

Distribution in Oregon
Distribution in Washington