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:''This article is about the plant. Nigella can also be a personal name; see e.g. [[Nigella Lawson]].''
{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Nigella''
| image = Nigella arvensis fruit.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = ''Nigella damascena'' seed capsule
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Ranunculales]]
| familia = [[Ranunculaceae]]
| genus = '''''Nigella'''''
| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
| subdivision_ranks = [[Species]]
| subdivision =
About 14, including:<br/>
''[[Nigella arvensis]]''<br/>
''[[Nigella ciliaris]]''<br/>
''[[Nigella damascena]]''<br/>
''[[Nigella hispanica]]''<br/>
''[[Nigella integrifolia]]''<br/>
''[[Nigella nigellastrum]]''<br/>
''[[Nigella orientalis]]''<br/>
''[[Nigella sativa]]''
}}
'''''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'''.
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.
=== Uses ===
====Culinary====
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.
[[Image:Illustration Nigella arvensis0.jpg|thumb|left|Painting of ''Nigella arvensis'']]
====Other uses====
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.
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]].
=== Drying Nigella ===
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.
[[Category:Ranunculaceae]]
[[Category:Garden plants]]
[[Category:Flowers]]
{{Ranunculales-stub}}
:''This article is about the plant. Nigella can also be a personal name; see e.g. [[Nigella Lawson]].''
{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Nigella''
| image = Nigella arvensis fruit.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = ''Nigella damascena'' seed capsule
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Ranunculales]]
| familia = [[Ranunculaceae]]
| genus = '''''Nigella'''''
| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
| subdivision_ranks = [[Species]]
| subdivision =
About 14, including:<br/>
''[[Nigella arvensis]]''<br/>
''[[Nigella ciliaris]]''<br/>
''[[Nigella damascena]]''<br/>
''[[Nigella hispanica]]''<br/>
''[[Nigella integrifolia]]''<br/>
''[[Nigella nigellastrum]]''<br/>
''[[Nigella orientalis]]''<br/>
''[[Nigella sativa]]''
}}
'''''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'''.
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.
=== Uses ===
====Culinary====
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.
[[Image:Illustration Nigella arvensis0.jpg|thumb|left|Painting of ''Nigella arvensis'']]
====Other uses====
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.
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]].
=== Drying Nigella ===
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.
[[Category:Ranunculaceae]]
[[Category:Garden plants]]
[[Category:Flowers]]
{{Ranunculales-stub}}
