Nigella, Black seed
Nigella sativa

Family: Ranunculaceae

What it is like

An annual herb plant. It grows to 60 cm high and spreads 50 cm across. The stem is erect and branches. The leaves are greyish green and deeply divided. It has cream and white flowers which may have a blue tinge. They occur at the ends of branches. The flowers are 25 mm across. The seed pod is inflated and the seeds are black. The seed pod is like a poppy capsule. There are 5 seed bearing compartments with a crown of vertical prominent spikes. The seeds are three cornered. They are small and black. They are 3 mm long.

There are about 20 Nigella species. It has anticancer properties.

Where it is found

A Mediterranean climate plant. It is a native of Syria. It prefers rich moist well drained soils. It needs an open sunny position. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 7-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bangladesh, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Central Asia, China, Crete, Cyprus, Czech Republic, East Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Europe, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Malaysia, Mali, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, Myanmar, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Palestine, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Türkiye, USA, West Africa, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The seeds are used as a spice in pickles. It has a peppery taste. They are also used in Turkish bread. They are sprinkled on rolls, flatbreads and cakes, Jewish rye bread, or used as flavouring in curries, pickles and preserved lemons. The flowers are used to flavour foods. CAUTION: It should not be used in large amounts.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Seeds, herb, spice, flowers

How it is grown

It is grown from seed.

The capsules are harvested as they ripen but before they shatter dispersing the seed. These are then dried and threshed to get the seed.

Its other names

Local names

Black Cumin, Charnushka, Cheeregum, Corekotu, Cuminella, Cumino, Curekot, Devil-in-a-bush, Fennel flower, Habet Al-Barakeh, Jeelakaira, Jeera, Jeraka, Jintan hitam, Jintan puteh, Jinten, Jira, Kala jeera, Kalajira, Kalijira, Kalonji-jiram, Kalonji, Kammun, Karejirage, Karunchiragam, Karunjiragam, Kemouyn, Khezha, Kreuzkummel, Love-in-a-mist, Mackovi, Mugrela, Navadna črnika, Nella, Nigela, Niguiella, Roman Coriander, Russian caraway, Safed, Samon-net, Teindaeng, Tikur azmud, Zeera, Zira

Synonyms

Nigella cretica Miller;