Fennel

Not many people would realize that fennel in Victoria is classified a restricted noxious weed meaning that it is illegal to sell or transport. It is a widespread weed of disturbed land, found along waterways, grasslands and woodlands. Dense infestations can eliminate most other ground flora and can impede regeneration of native species. Distinctive by its strong aniseed smell when young has a very ferny like appearance then it shoots up to clusters of tiny yellow flowers, then produces many seeds which are distributed by water and wind. When crowns are disturbed or dislodged and come in contact with the soil vegetative production can occur. Therefore slashing will spread it even further. To control fennel it can be dug out making sure to remove all of the taproot. Material should be disposed carefully. Plants can be treated with the cut and paint method or a selective herbicide.