Black-seed or Nigella

Family Ranunculaceae. Name: derives from the Latin word 'nigellus' — a grammatical form of the word 'niger' — black, referring to the black color of the seeds.

Description of Nigella: the genus comprises about 20 species distributed in the Mediterranean, southern and southeastern Europe, the Caucasus, Asia Minor and Central Asia.

Annual herbaceous plants with erect, strongly branched stems 30–60 cm high. Leaves small, twice- or thrice-pinnately dissected, less often palmately divided, lacy, arranged alternately. The upper leaves are gathered beneath the flower and rise above it in the form of an involucre. Flowers solitary, bisexual, large, with five petal-like sepals of white, blue or yellow color, up to 4 cm in diameter; in double forms they are arranged in 2–4 rows. Petals are transformed into nectaries. Fruit consists of five carpels forming a common capsule, inflated or flattened. Seeds black, matte, ovate. 350–500 seeds per 1 g, retaining viability for 2 years.

An annual plant with small flowers and very decorative infructescences. Ideal for dried bouquets, cutting and flowerbeds.

Native to the Crimea, the Caucasus, the Mediterranean, Asia Minor and the Near East. The plant is an annual herb. Stems erect, branching, 30–50 cm high. Leaves twice- or thrice-pinnately divided. The flowers are rather original, surrounded by a lacy green involucre formed by the upper pinnately divided leaves. Flowers simple or double, with petal-like sepals of blue, light blue or white. Flowers from late June to August. The fruit consists of five inflated carpels, almost united to the top, surrounded by a finely divided, ornamental involucre of the apical leaves. It sets seed. Seeds retain viability for 1–2 years.

In cultivation since 1542. Main cultivars grown: 'Miss Jekyll' — cornflower-blue flowers; 'Persian Rose' — pale pink flowers; 'Persian Jewels' — flowers blue, pink, pinkish-lilac, white; 'Dwarf Moody Blue' — dwarf cultivar 15–20 cm high

Site for Nigella: sun-loving, cold-hardy, easily tolerate spring frosts.

Soil: prefer light, fertile soils with a high lime content. Perform poorly on acidic soils. Do not tolerate excess or lack of moisture.

Propagation of Nigella: by seed, sown in May in open ground to a permanent place or in April in cold frames. Seedlings appear on the 18th–20th day. Seedlings are pricked out into peat-compost pots. Young plants flower two months after sowing. Seeds can be sown in autumn. Transplant seedlings at 15–20 cm apart.

Uses of Nigella: in Moorish-style lawns, group plantings, borders, and for cutting.