Bronze Fennel is a hardy perennial, umbelliferous herb, with yellow flowers and feathery leaves, grows wild in most parts of temperate Europe, but is generally considered indigenous to the shores of the Mediterranean, whence it spreads eastwards to India. It has followed civilization, especially where Romans have colonized, and may be found growing wild in many parts of the world upon dry soils near the sea-coast and upon river-banks. It is a highly aromatic and flavourful herb with culinary and medicinal uses, and is one of the primary ingredients of absinthe. Fennel is used as a food plant by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including the Mouse Moth and the Anise Swallowtail.
Bronze Fennel is easily identified by tall, billowy masses of aromatic, bronzy-green, feathery foliage. Tiny, mustard-yellow flowers sway in the summertime breeze atop large flat umbels, eventually yielding multitudes of seeds.
