Identification & Quality Standard
Fructus Foeniculi
Botanical Origin
The dried mature fruit of Foeniculum vulgare Mill.(Apiaceae)
Production Regions
Originally produced in Europe, in China, primarily produced in the provinces of Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Sichuan.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material is large, full, yellowish-green, with potent aroma.
Macroscopic Features
Cremocarp, cylindrical, some are slightly curved, 2 ends are slightly pointed, 4~8mm long, 1.5~2.5mm diameter. Externally yellowish-green or pale yellow, apex has remnants of yellowish-brown raised style base, base sometimes has tiny fruit stems. Cut fruit is long elliptical, back has 5 longitudinal ridges, and joined surface is flat and relatively wide. Horizontal cut surface is slightly pentagonal, 4 edges of back side are about same length. Distinctively aromatic odor, slightly sweet, acrid taste.
