Giant fennel
A giant yellow-umbelled herb of Mediterranean coasts; in April-June its open nectar and ample pollen feed many insects. Toxic to livestock.
- Nectar
- Medium
- Pollen
- Good
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 1-3 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Giant fennel is a perennial member of the carrot family that can grow up to 3 metres tall, found on dry pastures, field edges and stony slopes along the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts. The large yellow umbels at the top of the stem offer open nectar and plenty of pollen; honey bees, wild bees, flies and beetles can be seen together on the same flower.
Flowering
It flowers in April on the coast and in May-June inland. The plant remains a leaf rosette for several years before it flowers.
Honey and pollen
It is not known as a monofloral honey; it contributes to mixed spring honey. Its pollen is abundant and helps colony development. Nectar measurements specific to the species are limited.
Note for the beekeeper
The plant contains coumarin derivatives and can cause poisoning with bleeding disorders in grazing animals; no problem of this kind has been reported in honey. Ferulago and other Ferula species with similar names are separate plants in Anatolia.