Ferula assa-foetida L.

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It can grow 3-4 m high. The stems can be 7.5 cm across. The plant has a bad smell. The stems are thick and coarse. When wounded the stems exude a white sticky sap which turns red-yellow. The upper leaf sheath is about 9 cm long by 4 cm wide. At the base 3-4 leaves occur together. They are 3-3.5 cm long by 1.5-2.5 cm wide. The flowers occur in a rounded panicle. The flowers are bright yellow. The flowers only appear after about 5 years of growth. The fruit are in a rounded head. There are 10-50 rays.

It is a temperate plant. It grows in dry stony locations. It needs rich, well-drained soil. It needs to be in the sun. It grows up to 100 m altitude.

It is used as a seasoning. The resin is sold in lumps. It is used to flavour soups, curried fish, sauces and pickles. The leaves and stems can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The bad smell disappears with cooking. The spice is made from the milk like juice of the plant. It is added to meat balls and gives a truffle like flavour. It is also used in Worcestershire sauce. The young folded heads are eaten raw. The roots are roasted and eaten.

Plants are grown from seed.