Dog fennel, garden,

This is a roadside weed that I dug up years ago and put in a pot. It grows 6 feet tall and sways gracefully in the wind. It is called dog fennel because of it's resemblance to fennel and it's use. The fronds have a distinct odor the is meant to be an insect repellant. Years ago dog owners rubbed their pets down to keep ticks and mosquitoes away. It was meant to be very effective. Do not be fooled by it's fennel-like appearance; it has alkaloids that can cause liver failure in humans.