''Ferula communis'', the giant fennel, is a species of

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants th ...

in the carrot family

Apiaceae Apiaceae or Umbelliferae is a family of mostly aromatic flowering plants named after the type genus '' Apium'' and commonly known as the celery, carrot or parsley family, or simply as umbellifers. It is the 16th-largest family of flowering plan ...

. It is related to the Fennel, common fennel (''Foeniculum vulgare''), which belongs to the same family. ''Ferula communis'' is a tall herbaceous perennial plant. It is found in Mediterranean and East African woodlands and shrublands. It was known in antiquity as ''laser'' or ''narthex''.

Human use

Its young stems and inflorescences were eaten in ancient Rome, and are still eaten in Morocco today. However, culinary uses of this species are not always safe and poisoning may occur. In Sardinia two different chemotypes of ''Ferula communis'' have been identified: poisonous (especially to animals like sheep, goats, cattle, and horses) and non-poisonous. They differ in both secondary metabolites patterning and enzymatic composition. The resin of the subspecies ''F. communis'' subsp. ''brevifolia'' is called “''gum ammoniac of Morocco''”. The phenolic compound ferulic acid is named for the giant fennel, from which it can be isolated. In Ancient Greek mythology, Prometheus gave mortals fire by hiding it in the plant's hollow stalk. (cite Aeschylus' Prometheus Bound)

Resin extraction

Since antiquity, the resin of ''Ferula'' species has been used for medicinal purposes. The resin, in the form of a sticky latex, was usually extracted from the lower stalk or root, with the root resin being the finest-grade. s.v. ''Ferula communis'' Where the resin of giant fennel (''Ferula communis'') was farmed, a small hole was pierced in its root with a sharp instrument, after clearing away all rocks and earth that cling to the exposed root. A small trench was dug beneath the root and overlayed with several smooth and flat stones at the bottom for collecting the exuded resin. The piercing was made deep enough into the root or lower stalk to ensure a steady flow of resin on its own pressure. The resin was usually harvested in the dry and hot summer months, when dampness and moisture could not corrupt the resin. The resin hardens when exposed to the air, upon which it changes color to a brownish-red. The resin that exudes in coagulated, drop-like form is considered superior to that which runs down loosely.

As a tool for punishment

In the past, rods and whips for disciplinary purposes were made from the stalk of Ferula. From this, we have latin ferire (to hit), and also the Swedish ''färla'' (disciplinary tool used in schools in the past).

References

External links

* {{Taxonbar, from=Q150411 Ferula, communis Plants described in 1753 Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus Poisonous plants Edible plants