Pollinator plant

Fennel

Foeniculum vulgare

Linked agroforestry plant data
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Common names

62 names · 48 languages
EnglishYour language
+4 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (47)
Dutch
French
Afrikaans
Arabic
  • شمرة شائعة[4]
Armenian
  • Հոռոմ-սամիթ սովորական[4]
Asturian
Bantoanon
Basque
Catalan
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Croatian
Czech
  • fenykl obecný[4]
Danish
Estonian
  • Harilik apteegitill[4]
Finnish
  • maustefenkoli[4]
Galician
Georgian
  • დიდი კამა[4]
German
Greek
  • Μάραθο[4]
Hebrew
  • שומר פשוט[4]
Hindi
  • सौंफ[4]
Hungarian
  • kerti édeskömény[4]
  • Édeskömény[4]
Indonesian
  • Adas Manis[4]
Italian
Japanese
  • ウイキョウ[4]
Kannada
  • ಸೊಂಪು[4]
Korean
Kurdish
Lithuanian
  • Paprastasis pankolis[4]
Low Saxon
Malay
  • Pokok Adas[4]
Norwegian
Otomi
Polish
  • Fenkuł włoski[4]
  • Koper włoski[4]
Portuguese
Russian
  • Фенхель обыкновенный[4]
Sinhala
  • මහදුරු[4]
  • මාදුරු[4]
Slovak
  • fenikel obyčajný[4]
Slovenian
  • navadni komarček[4]
Spanish
Sundanese
Swedish
Thai
  • ผักชีล้อม[4]
  • เทียนข้าวเปลือก[4]
Turkish
Ukrainian
  • Фенхель звичайний[4]
Welsh
Sources & name notes (6)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Foeniculum vulgare — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Fennel — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Bronze Fennel — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Finocchio — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Florence Fennel — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Sweet Fennel — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(5); heading: Common Name(s):; Foeniculum vulgare.
[2] Foeniculum vulgare — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • fennel — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Venkel — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • fenouil — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Echter Fenchel — results[0].names[54]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Fenchel — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Common fennel — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Sweet Fennel — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • wild fennel — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • hinojo — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • finocchio — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • funcho — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
[3] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Foeniculum vulgare ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • Esmeldo (ES); Fennel (EN) — VernacularName.tsv, line 138603; taxon 6JBPX.
  • Echter Fenchel (DE) — VernacularName.tsv, line 138601; taxon 6JBPX.
  • Eneldo — VernacularName.tsv, line 138602; taxon 6JBPX.
[4] Foeniculum vulgare — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • fennel — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Venkel — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • fenouil — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Echter Fenchel — results[0].names[54]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Fenchel — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Common fennel — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Sweet Fennel — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • wild fennel — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • hinojo — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • finocchio — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • funcho — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Adas Manis — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • שומר פשוט — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • fonoll — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Adas — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Édeskömény — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • सौंफ — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Harilik apteegitill — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Mihilu — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • დიდი კამა — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • ಸೊಂಪು — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Rizyane — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Pokok Adas — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Veankel — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • ผักชีล้อม — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • fenykl obecný — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • 茴香 — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • fennikel — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • maustefenkoli — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Fennikel — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • finochu — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Μάραθο — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Фенхель обыкновенный — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • ウイキョウ — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Fiúncho — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • anis — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • මහදුරු — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • මාදුරු — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Հոռոմ-սամիթ սովորական — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • rezene — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • fänkål — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Paprastasis pankolis — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • 회향 — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Vinkel — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • navadni komarček — results[0].names[44]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • شمرة شائعة — results[0].names[45]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • 茴香 — results[0].names[46]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • nximfi — results[0].names[47]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Komorač — results[0].names[48]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Fenkuł włoski — results[0].names[49]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Koper włoski — results[0].names[50]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • kerti édeskömény — results[0].names[51]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • เทียนข้าวเปลือก — results[0].names[52]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Ffenigl — results[0].names[53]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • fenikel obyčajný — results[0].names[55]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
  • Фенхель звичайний — results[0].names[56]; taxon id 53052; Foeniculum vulgare.
[5] Royal Horticultural Society — common names ↗

Names retained from the referenced botanical profile or table.

Source records
  • common fennel — Page 2, column 1, row top 52 pt; common-name cell after Foeniculum vulgare.; Foeniculum vulgare.
[6] Royal Horticultural Society — common names ↗

Names retained from the referenced botanical profile or table.

Source records
  • common fennel — Page 3, column 2, row top 667 pt; common-name cell after Foeniculum vulgare.; Foeniculum vulgare.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Foeniculum vulgare is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Apiaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
1.22–1.83 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
0.46–0.99 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Erect; Multi-stemmed; Spreading

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Life cycle
Perennial

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Moist; Occasionally Dry

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Summer

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees, butterflies, pollinators.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Pollinator guidance
RHS includes Foeniculum vulgare in its Plants for Pollinators guidance.

RHS planting guidance. Choose accessible flowers with pollen and nectar; reduced-resource and double-flowered forms may be unsuitable.

Sources [3] [4]
Native range
Medit. to Ethiopia and W. Nepal.

Explicit native locality records in Kew WCVP v16; introduced and doubtful distributions excluded. Continent conversion follows the documented geographic mapping.

Sources [5]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Medium suitability
Nectar value Medium
Pollen value Medium
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Herbaceous, Vegetable
Size
Small
Dimensions
1.50 m high × 1.00 m wide
Lifecycle
Perennial

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
3-10
Moisture
Moist, Well-drained
Soil
Sandy, Loamy, Clay
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Sun

Uses

Edible parts
Leaves, Root, Seed, Stems, Seasoning
Functions
Dye, Essential oil, Repellent
Edibility
5 out of 5
Medicinal value
3 out of 5

The leaves of fennel can be eaten both raw and cooked and have a delightful anise flavor. Young leaves are the tastiest, while older leaves can be tough. They are ideal as a garnish for both raw and cooked dishes and make a tasty addition to salads. Moreover, they help to improve digestion. The leaves can be dried, but since they can be harvested year-round, this is not necessary. If fennel grows in a warm and sheltered spot, leaves are available throughout the year. Both the leaf stalks and flower heads can be eaten raw or cooked and have a similar anise-like flavor as the leaves. Fennel seeds are often used as a seasoning in baked goods, bread, and fillings. They also have an anise-like flavor and are beneficial for digestion. The sprouted seeds can be added to salads, and essential oil can be made from the fully ripened and dried seeds, which serves as a flavoring. The cooked roots of fennel, which resemble parsnips somewhat, are also edible. Both the leaves and seeds can be used to make herbal tea.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Foeniculum vulgare — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 2168123; ID 6JBPX; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 2168123; ID 6JBPX; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Foeniculum vulgare — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitLife cycleLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Garden Plants

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 3, column 2, entry Foeniculum vulgare (top 667 pt)

    Source checked on .

  4. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Plants Of The World

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 2, column 1, entry Foeniculum vulgare (top 52 pt)

    Source checked on .

  5. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Foeniculum vulgare — Kew WCVP native distribution

    Native distribution and taxonomic treatment from the official WCVP v16 export (4 June 2026). The link opens the corresponding POWO taxon. Source rows are retained in the native-range audit archive.

    Supports: Native range
    Relevant sections
    • Native range: WCVP v16; wcvp_names.csv lines 117317; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 1391961, 1391962, 1391963, 1391964, 1391965, 1391966, 1391967, 1391968, 1391969, 1391970, 1391971, 1391973, 1391974, 1391975, 1391981, 1391982, 1391983, 1391984, 1391985, 1391989, 1391990, 1392007, 1392008, 1392009, 1392010, 1392011, 1392012, 1392013, 1392014, 1392015, 1392016, 1392017, 1392018, 1392019, 1392020, 1392021, 1392022, 1392023, 1392036, 1392037, 1392038

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.