Love-in-a-mist, Devil-in-a-bush, Fennel flower
Nigella damascena

Family: Ranunculaceae

What it is like

An upright bushy annual plant. It grows 40-60 cm high and 20-25 cm wide. The leaves are feathery. The flowers are sky-blue. They are 2.5-5 cm across. The flowers sit inside wispy leaves. The fruit is an inflated seed capsule. It is striped and has short pointed horns.

There are about 20 Nigella species.

Where it is found

A warm temperate plant. It is frost hardy. It can grow in full sun or light shade. It needs a well drained soil. It suits hardiness zones 8-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Britain, China, Europe, India, Mediterranean, Myanmar, North Africa, SE Asia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Türkiye

How it is used for food

The seeds are used as a spice. The leafy shoots are used as a potherb.

Edible parts

Seeds, spice, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed are sown very shallowly. Seedlings can be transplanted. Plants should be 15 cm apart.

It is fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Sam corekotu, Vzhodna črnika

Synonyms

Nigella coerulea Lamk.; Nigella pygmaea Persoon;