The Wonders of Fennel

"Longfellow alludes to this virtue in the plant:

'Above the lower plants it towers,

The Fennel with its yellow flowers;

And in an earlier age than ours

Was gifted with the wondrous powers

Lost vision to restore."

I've started 14 fennel seeds today! But not exactly for herbal and culinary purposes, I'm looking to attract the caterpillar of the black swallowtail butterfly to help repopulate the species here in Edison. Apparently, they're not as common as they used to be.

That poem up there? Yeah...it's a very old rhyme some people long ago wrote concerning the wonderful things about fennel. There are many more...believe me.

This hardy perrenial is native to the Mediteranean, but is grown all over the world for use in teas and cooking of all kinds.

Supposedly, fennel works wonders in tea. It improves eye sight, relieves digestive discomfort...and flatulance.

I plan on taking good care of my fennel when it grows. They grow 5-6 ft in height, quickly, and have so many uses, plus I'm helping the local population of black swallowtails :)

Wish Me Luck!

 Your fellow biologist,
Ashley Marie

PS: Even the seeds smell amazing!