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Summary
Bloom Color: Blue, Pink. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.
Physical Characteristics
Nigella damascena is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a fast rate.
It is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to October, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Habitats
Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Oil Seed
Edible Uses: Condiment Oil
Seed - raw or cooked. Normally used as a condiment[2, 27, 46, 100], it has a nutmeg flavour[148].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Expectorant
Expectorant[148].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Essential Oil
An essential oil distilled from the plant is used in perfumery and lipsticks[238]. The seed contains about 43.5% fatty oil, consisting of 97% total fatty acids of which 30% is free fatty acid[240]. No uses of this oil are given in the report.
Special Uses
Scented Plants
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Landscape Uses:Container, Massing, Rock garden, Specimen, Woodland garden. An easily grown plant, succeeding in any good garden soil, preferring a sunny position[1, 108]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are some named varieties[188]. Plants are fast-growing[188] and often self-sow if the ground is disturbed by some means such as hoeing[K]. The flowers are very attractive to bees[108]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[54]. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Naturalizing, Suitable for cut flowers, Suitable for dried flowers.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Propagation
Seed - sow spring or early autumn in situ[1]. The autumn sowing might not be successful in harsh winters. Plants can be transplanted if necessary[200].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Plant Search
Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
L.
Botanical References
50200
Links / References
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Readers comment
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