We depend on donations from users of our database of over 8000 edible and useful plants to keep making it available free of charge and to further extend and improve it. In recent months donations are down, and we are spending more than we receive. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

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

 

Translate this page:

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.

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

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

Read More

FOOD FOREST PLANTS

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:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

Shop Now

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 Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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 :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Bunium ferulaceum Perennial0.6 -  LMHNM20 
Ferula assa-foetidaAsafoetida - Devil's Dung. Hing (Indian), AsafetidaPerennial2.0 7-10  LMHNDM332
Ferula caspica Perennial0.3 -  LMHNDM02 
Ferula conocaula Perennial0.0 -  LMHNDM02 
Ferula foetidaAsafoetidaPerennial1.0 7-10  LMHNDM232
Ferula gummosaGalbanumPerennial1.0 5-9  LMHNDM222
Ferula karelinii Perennial0.6 -  LMHNDM10 
Ferula longifolia Perennial0.0 -  LMHNDM10 
Ferula marmarica Perennial0.0 -  LMHNDM001
Ferula moschataMusk RootPerennial2.5 8-11  LMHNDM021
Ferula narthexFerulaPerennial2.5 7-10  LMHNDM221
Ferula persica Perennial1.0 6-9  LMHNDM011
Ferula schair Perennial1.0 -  LMHNDM001
Ferula szowitziana Perennial0.6 -  LMHNDM001
Ferula tingitana Perennial2.0 8-11  LMHNDM001

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.

 

Print Friendly and PDF

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

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Ferula communis  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.