Ajowan, Caraway, Lovage
Trachyspermum ammi

Family: Apiaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows to 50 cm high. It is like caraway but the fruit are more rounded. It looks like parsley when growing. The leaves have stalks. Leaves are divided 2 or 3 times. The last segment is long and narrow. The flowers are white. They are in compound flat topped arrangements. The seeds form in umbrella shaped clusters. The seeds are small and tear shaped. They are light brown. There are some named cultivated varieties.

It has medicinal properties due to the thymol helping diarrhoea etc.

Where it is found

It is a temperate to tropical plant. In Nepal plants grow to 1500 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, East Africa, Egypt (country/location of origin), Ethiopia, Europe, Himalayas, India (country/location of origin), Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Mediterranean, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, North Africa, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The fruit yield oil and are used as a spice. It has a thyme-like flavour. It is used in curries, bean dishes and biscuits. The seed is tiny and pungent. It looks like celery seed but the flavour is like thyme. The seeds are used in lentil dishes, bread and pickles.

It is a cultivated plant.

Edible parts

Fruit-oil as spice, spice, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The seeds are ready to harvest when the flower heads turn brown. The plants are pulled up and dried in the sun. They are then rubbed to separate the seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Ajamo, Ajmoda, Ajwain, Ajwan, Amam, Asampadam, Ayamodakam, Bishop's weed, Carom seed, Carom, Chohara, Hajimuju, Jawind, Jemuju, Jowan, Juvani, Jwan, Kamme mulki, Mungsi, Nech azmud, Oma, Oma koora, Omakki, Omam, Omu, Omum, Owa, Remuju, Sperkai, Sperkay, Vaamu, Vova, Wusu, Yavan

Synonyms

Athamanta ajowan Wall.; Carum copticum C.B.Clarke; Carum ajowan Benth. & Hook.; Ligusticum ajawon Roxb. & Fleming; Ptychotis ajowan DC; Sison ammi L.; Trachyspermum copticum Link.;