Fennel
Florence sweet bulbous fennel
Florence sweet bulbous fennel: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
Sweet Florence fennel belongs to Foeniculum vulgare, in the carrot family, Apiaceae. It is part of the Florence fennel group, often described as var. azoricum. These selections are valued for a white, fleshy base, unlike herb fennel grown mainly for its foliage and seeds.The part commonly called a bulb is not a true botanical bulb. It is formed by swollen, overlapping leaf bases near soil level. Its shape can be round to slightly flattened, depending on selection and conditions. White colour, thick layers and a firm texture explain its use as a vegetable. It is not an underground root comparable with a carrot, even though both are familiar vegetable crops.Above the swelling, upright stems carry very finely divided, feathery green foliage. The contrast between a compact base and airy leaves gives fennel a distinctive outline. The plant has an anise-like aroma. It may become much taller when a flowering stem…
