Difference between revisions of "Nigella"

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{{SPlantbox
 
{{SPlantbox
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|familia=Ranunculaceae
 
|genus=Nigella
 
|genus=Nigella
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|common_name=Devil-in-a-bush, Love in a mist
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|habit=herbaceous
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|Min ht box=20
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|Min ht metric=cm
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|Max ht box=90
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|Max ht metric=cm
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|lifespan=annual
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|features=flowers, edible
 
|Temp Metric=°F
 
|Temp Metric=°F
 
|jumpin=If this plant info box on watering; zones; height; etc. is mostly empty you can click on the edit tab and fill in the blanks!
 
|jumpin=If this plant info box on watering; zones; height; etc. is mostly empty you can click on the edit tab and fill in the blanks!
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|image=Upload.png
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|image=Nigella arvensis fruit.jpg
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|image_width=240
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|image_width=180
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|image_caption=''Nigella damascena'' seed capsule
 
}}
 
}}
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'''''Nigella''''' is a genus of about 14 species of [[annual plant]]s in the family [[Ranunculaceae]], native to southern [[Europe]], north [[Africa]] and southwest [[Asia]]. Common names applied to members of this genus are '''Devil-in-a-bush''' or '''Love in a mist'''.
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The species grow to 20-90 cm tall, with finely divided [[leaf|leaves]], the leaf segments narrowly linear to threadlike. The [[flower]]s are white, yellow, pink, pale blue or pale purple, with 5-10 petals. The [[fruit]] is a capsule composed of several united follicles, each containing numerous [[seed]]s; in some species (e.g. ''[[Nigella damascena]]''), the capsule is large and inflated.
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Several species are grown as [[ornamental plant]]s in gardens. ''[[Nigella damascena]]'' has been grown in English [[cottage garden]]s since Elizabethan times, commonly called Love-In-A-Mist. ''[[Nigella hispanica]]'' is a taller species with larger blue flowers, red stamens, and grey leaves. Nigella seeds are self-sowing if the seed pods are left to mature. 
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{{Inc|
 
{{Inc|
 
Nigella (diminutive of niger, black; referring to the color of the seeds). Ranunculaceae. Love-in-a Mist. Devil-in-a-bush. Fennel-flower. Hardy annuals grown for their interesting flowers and seed- pods which are often surrounded by the much-divided involucre.
 
Nigella (diminutive of niger, black; referring to the color of the seeds). Ranunculaceae. Love-in-a Mist. Devil-in-a-bush. Fennel-flower. Hardy annuals grown for their interesting flowers and seed- pods which are often surrounded by the much-divided involucre.
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==Cultivation==
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:''This article is about the plant. Nigella can also be a personal name; see e.g. [[Nigella Lawson]].''
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{{Taxobox
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| color = lightgreen
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===Propagation===
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| name = ''Nigella''
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| image = Nigella arvensis fruit.jpg
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| image_width = 250px
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===Pests and diseases===
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| image_caption = ''Nigella damascena'' seed capsule
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| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
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| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
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==Species==
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| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
 
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| ordo = [[Ranunculales]]
 
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| familia = [[Ranunculaceae]]
 
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| genus = '''''Nigella'''''
 
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| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
 
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| subdivision_ranks = [[Species]]
 
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| subdivision =  
 
 
About 14, including:<br/>
 
About 14, including:<br/>
 
''[[Nigella arvensis]]''<br/>
 
''[[Nigella arvensis]]''<br/>
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''[[Nigella orientalis]]''<br/>
 
''[[Nigella orientalis]]''<br/>
 
''[[Nigella sativa]]''
 
''[[Nigella sativa]]''
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}}
 
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'''''Nigella''''' is a genus of about 14 species of [[annual plant]]s in the family [[Ranunculaceae]], native to southern [[Europe]], north [[Africa]] and southwest [[Asia]]. Common names applied to members of this genus are '''Devil-in-a-bush''' or '''Love in the mist'''.
 
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The species grow to 20-90 cm tall, with finely divided [[leaf|leaves]], the leaf segments narrowly linear to threadlike. The [[flower]]s are white, yellow, pink, pale blue or pale purple, with 5-10 petals. The [[fruit]] is a capsule composed of several united follicles, each containing numerous [[seed]]s; in some species (e.g. ''[[Nigella damascena]]''), the capsule is large and inflated. Spread some in your yard, and it will reseed itself every year.
 
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=== Uses ===
 
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====Culinary====
 
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The [[seed]]s of ''[[Nigella sativa|N. sativa]]'', known as kalonji, [[black cumin]] (though this can also refer to [[Bunium persicum]]) or just nigella, are used as a [[spice]] in [[Indian cuisine|Indian]] and [[Cuisine of the Middle East|Middle Eastern]] cuisine. The dry roasted nigella seeds flavor curries, vegetables and pulses.  The black seeds taste mostly like oregano crossed with pepper. Most people use it as a "pepper" in recipes with pod fruit, vegetables, salads and poultry.
 
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[[Image:Illustration Nigella arvensis0.jpg|thumb|left|Painting of ''Nigella arvensis'']]
 
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====Other uses====
 
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Several species are grown as [[ornamental plant]]s in gardens, popular for their seed capsules, which are used in dried flower arrangements. Love in the mist are used exclusively for dried arrangements. These flowers are the best to add texture to any dried flower arrangement. The delicate, purple striped pods are used in several arrangements for an airy effect.
 
  
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In India the seeds are used as a [[carminative]] and [[stimulant]] to ease [[bowel]] and [[indigestion]] problems and are given to treat intestinal worms and nerve defects to reduce flatulence, and induce sweating. Dried pods are sniffed to restore a lost sense of smell. It is also used to repel some insects, much like [[mothballs]].
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==Gallery==
  
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=== Drying Nigella ===
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<gallery perrow=5>
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Image:Smithsoniangardens7.jpg|''Nigella'' in full bloom
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Image:Nigella seeds.jpg|Nigella Seeds
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Image:Upload.png| photo 1
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Image:Upload.png| photo 2
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Image:Upload.png| photo 3
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</gallery>
  
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Nigella can be easily dried. Nigella is cut when pods reach maximum size and color. Nigella pods range from deep green to deep burgundy, with stripes in between. The first few pods are picked with as long a stem as possible, one at a time. The plant flowers profusely and so when most of the flowers become seed pods, pull the entire plant and cut the stems. Then wrap a rubber band around a small bundle of stems and then hang them upside down for drying in a dark, airy place until dry.
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==References==
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<references/>
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*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
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<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->
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<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
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<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->
  
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==External links==
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*{{wplink}}
  
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[[Category:Ranunculaceae]]
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[[Category:Garden plants]]
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__NOTOC__
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[[Category:Flowers]]
 
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{{Ranunculales-stub}}
 

Latest revision as of 02:44, 21 February 2010


Nigella damascena seed capsule


Plant Characteristics
Habit   herbaceous

Height: ⇕ 20 cm"cm" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 20. to 90 cm"cm" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 90.
Lifespan: ⌛ annual
Cultivation
Features: ✓ flowers, edible
Scientific Names

Ranunculaceae >

Nigella >


If this plant info box on watering; zones; height; etc. is mostly empty you can click on the edit tab and fill in the blanks!


Nigella is a genus of about 14 species of annual plants in the family Ranunculaceae, native to southern Europe, north Africa and southwest Asia. Common names applied to members of this genus are Devil-in-a-bush or Love in a mist.

The species grow to 20-90 cm tall, with finely divided leaves, the leaf segments narrowly linear to threadlike. The flowers are white, yellow, pink, pale blue or pale purple, with 5-10 petals. The fruit is a capsule composed of several united follicles, each containing numerous seeds; in some species (e.g. Nigella damascena), the capsule is large and inflated.

Several species are grown as ornamental plants in gardens. Nigella damascena has been grown in English cottage gardens since Elizabethan times, commonly called Love-In-A-Mist. Nigella hispanica is a taller species with larger blue flowers, red stamens, and grey leaves. Nigella seeds are self-sowing if the seed pods are left to mature.


Read about Nigella in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

Nigella (diminutive of niger, black; referring to the color of the seeds). Ranunculaceae. Love-in-a Mist. Devil-in-a-bush. Fennel-flower. Hardy annuals grown for their interesting flowers and seed- pods which are often surrounded by the much-divided involucre.

Stems erect: Lvs. finely divided, alternate: fls. showy, white, blue or yellow; sepals 5, regular, petal-like, deciduous; petals 5, with hollow claws, notched or 2-lobed: carpels 3-10, fusing at the base into 1 cavity, cells opening at the top when mature; seeds many, black and hard. —About 12 species, including Garidella; mostly natives of the Medit. region. Following 3 are the only species now used in Amer.

Nigellas require little care. The seed should be sown in the open border in good soil any time after the land is fit to work in early spring, as the plants are entirely hardy. The seedlings should be thinned, if necessary, to a distance of about 8 inches. They seldom succeed well if transplanted. If the seeds are sown in early autumn, the plants may withstand a mild winter and be ready to flower earlier the next summer. By planting at different seasons the plants may be continued in beauty nearly throughout the summer. The seeds of N. saliva, Linn., or black cummin, are sometimes used as seasoning in the Old World.


The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.


Cultivation

Propagation

Pests and diseases

Species

About 14, including:
Nigella arvensis
Nigella ciliaris
Nigella damascena
Nigella hispanica
Nigella integrifolia
Nigella nigellastrum
Nigella orientalis
Nigella sativa

Gallery

  • Nigella in full bloom

  • Nigella Seeds

  • photo 1

  • photo 2

  • photo 3

References

External links


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