Fennel is native

Fennel is native to Southern Europe and grown extensively all over Europe, Middle Eastern, China, India, and Turkey. This herbaceous plant reaches up to 2 meters (about 6 feet) in height with deep green feathery (lacy) leaves and bears golden yellow flowers in umbels. In general, fennel seeds are harvested when the seed heads turn light brown. The seeds, which resemble to anise seeds in appearance, feature oblong or curved (comma) shape, about 3 4 mm long, light brown color with fine vertical stripes over their surface.