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Ferula communis, the giant fennel, is a species of flowering plant in the carrot family Apiaceae. It is related to the 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
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.
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 overlaid 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 stalks of Ferula. A Swedish disciplinary tool used in schools in the past, färla, derives its name from this.
In mythology
In Ancient Greek mythology, Prometheus gave mortals fire by hiding it in the plant's hollow stalk. Additionally, during the Classical period, a staff fashioned from Ferula communis called a Thyrsus (/ˈθɜːrsəs/) or thyrsos (/ˈθɜːrsɒs/; ) was carried by the devotees of Dionysus and used in Hellenic festivals and religious ceremonies.
Subspecies
Ferula communis has five subspecies:
External links
Categories: Flora Of Israel, Flora Of Lebanon, Flora Of North Africa, Flora Of Palestine, Flora Of The Mediterranean Basin, Flora Of The Canary Islands, Flora Of The Arabian Peninsula, Flora Of Northeast Tropical Africa, Flora Of East Tropical Africa, Communis, Plants Described In 1753, Botanical Taxa Named By Carl Linnaeus, Edible Plants
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