Nigella sativa Black cumin (Ranunculaceae)

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Nigella sativa
Black cumin
(1 Page of 5)

The Nigella sativa plant species is found in N. Africa to Abyssinia and W. Asia. It is a member of the Ranunculaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Black cumin.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Nigella sativa
Common Name:  Black cumin
Family:  Ranunculaceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  None known

Mature Height:  0.35   Mature Width:  0.2

Habitat:  Waste places, arable land and waysides[9].

Edible Uses: Seed - raw or cooked. Normally used as a flavouring on bread, cakes, curries, pickles etc[4, 9, 74, 100, 183]. There is a belief that eating the seed will make a woman's breasts plumper[245]. The seed is a very popular spice from the Mediterranean to India. It has a pungent flavour according to one report[46] whilst another says that it has a spicy fuity taste[238] and a third that the scent is somewhat like nutmeg[245]. The immature seed is bitter, but when fully ripe it is aromatic[9]. It is also used as a pepper substitute[4].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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