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Ferula communis - L.

Common Name Giant Fennel
Family Apiaceae or Umbelliferae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry hills, walls, waste ground and limestone[89], often in soils that are damp in the spring[187].
Range Europe - Mediterranean.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Ferula communis Giant Fennel


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Tigerente
Ferula communis Giant Fennel
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Etrusko25

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Ferula communis is a PERENNIAL growing to 2.5 m (8ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

F. brevifolia. F. linkii.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses: Gum

Leaves[183]. No further details are given.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Miscellany

One report says that the root yields a gum with medicinal properties but no details are given[1].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Furniture  Gum  Miscellany  Tinder

A gum 'Gum Ammoniac' is obtained by notching the root[46, 61, 64, 100]. It is used as an incense[4], it also has medicinal value[1]. The stems are used in furniture making[89]. 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[89, 100, 148].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most soils[1] including dry ones according to one report[190] whilst others say that it requires a deep moist fertile soil in a sunny position[111, 200]. Established plants are drought resistant[190]. This species is hardy to about -10°c, possibly lower if the rootstock is mulched in the winter[187]. A very ornamental plant[1], though the flowers have a most unpleasant rancid smell[245]. Plants are often monoecious[187]. Plants are intolerant of root disturbance due to their long taproot[200]. They should be planted into their final positions as soon as possible. The sub-species brevifolia is the form used for its gum[1, 46, 61, 100].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as the seed is ripe in a greenhouse in autumn[1]. Otherwise sow in April 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[1]. 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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Yemen, Cyprus, Egypt (Sinai), Israel, Jordan, Syria, Turkey EUROPE: Albania, Greece (incl. Crete), Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Montenegro, Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Algeria, Libya (north), Morocco, Tunisia

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Ferula schair Perennial1.0 -  LMHNDM001
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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

89200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Pino   Mon Jun 19 2006

The ferula comunis contains umbeliferone (7-hidroxicumarina), an alkaloid that inhibites the production of protrombine. Many cattle die in Spain of comsumption of this plant. I won´t recommend to eat any part of the giant fennel.

teresanicholls   Tue Jan 8 2008

I would like to purshase this plant how much and where from

luis ramos   Sun Apr 19 2009

How can those plants be destroyed? There have been several horse deaths eventually resulting from the ingestion of this plant. Would it be through a mechanical or a chemical process? in the case of chemical, what would you advise? I thank you for any help.

very interesting story about ferula   Apr 23 2011 12:00AM

see added link
Flora of Israel Online

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Subject : Ferula communis  
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