Fennel vs. Caraway — What's the Difference?

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a flowering plant species in the carrot family. It is a hardy, perennial herb with yellow flowers and feathery leaves.

Caraway, also known as meridian fennel and Persian cumin (Carum carvi), is a biennial plant in the family Apiaceae, native to western Asia, Europe, and North Africa.The plant is similar in appearance to other members of the carrot family, with finely divided, feathery leaves with thread-like divisions, growing on 20–30 cm (8–12 in) stems. The main flower stem is 40–60 cm (16–24 in) tall, with small white or pink flowers in umbels.

An aromatic yellow-flowered European plant of the parsley family, with feathery leaves.

A biennial Eurasian herb (Carum carvi) in the parsley family, having finely divided leaves and clusters of small, white or pinkish flowers.

A Eurasian plant (Foeniculum vulgare) in the parsley family, having pinnate leaves and clusters of small yellow flowers grouped in umbels, cultivated for its aromatic seeds and edible stalks.

The seedlike fruit of this plant, widely used as a flavoring and seasoning in various foods. Also called caraway seed.

The seeds or stalks of this plant.

A biennial plant, Carum carvi, native to Europe and Asia, mainly grown for its seed to be used as a culinary spice.

A variety of fennel whose seeds are used as flavoring. Also called sweet fennel.

The seed-like fruit of the caraway plant.

A variety of fennel whose bulbous, celerylike stalks are eaten as a vegetable. Also called finocchio, Florence fennel.

A cake or sweetmeat containing caraway seeds.

See giant fennel.

A biennial plant of the Parsley family (Carum Carui). The seeds have an aromatic smell, and a warm, pungent taste. They are used in cookery and confectionery, and also in medicine as a carminative.

A plant, Foeniculum vulgare, of the parsley family, which has a sweet, anise-like flavor.

A cake or sweetmeat containing caraway seeds.

(culinary) The bulb, leaves, or stalks of the plant, eaten as a vegetable.

A Eurasian plant with small white flowers yielding caraway seed

(culinary) The seeds of the fennel plant used as a spice in cooking.

Leaves used sparingly in soups and stews

A perennial plant of the genus Fæniculum (Fæniculum vulgare), having very finely divided leaves. It is cultivated in gardens for the agreeable aromatic flavor of its seeds.

Any of several aromatic herbs having edible seeds and leaves and stems

Aromatic bulbous stem base eaten cooked or raw in salads

Leaves used for seasoning