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Nigella sp.
Roman Coriander, Black Cumin, Nutmeg Flower, Love-in-a-mistFamily: Ranunculaceae
Origin: Western Asia
Nigella sp. (Roman Coriander) is an annual flowering plant. It grows to about 2-5 ft tall and needs semi-shade to full sun and moderate water. They can be grown from seed or from root division. The plant is hardy to at least Zone 4.
Nigella sp. produces a range of delicate flowers in shades of blue, lavender and purple, as well as off-white and pink. It is an edible plant, often used as a spice or herb. It has ethnomedical uses, with research indicating that the seeds can aid in digestion, reduce inflammation, and support mental wellbeing. The plant produces fruit in the form of an inflated capsule, filled with numerous seeds. It is believed that each plant can produce up to a hundred of these capsules, offering a high yield of seeds.
The seeds are highly valuable and are often used in cooking and baking, as condiments and even in teas. They are known to be a rich source of essential nutrients, antioxidants and vitamins, and are popular for their medicinal properties.
According to an Arab Proverb it is said that, "in the black seed is the medicine for every disease except death." Nigella damascena has been grown in English cottage gardens since Elizabethan times, commonly called Love-in-a-mist.
