finocchia

Then comes a fine old castle, with its broad walls and square towers shooting up into the sky; then high banks of tall trees, with the verdant earth seen between; lower still, gardens filled with the luxuriant and varied greens of the artichoke, the pomadore, the finocchia, arched over with shrubs and fruit-trees, and topped by tall Oriental palms in full vigour and luxuriance.

Often called Finocchia or Sweet Anise. The bulblike enlargement at the top of the stem is eaten raw, like celery, or used for flavoring. Has a licorice flavor.