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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Trachyspermum ammi is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in).
It is frost tender. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
T. copticum. Ammi copticum. Carum copticum.
Habitats
Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Condiment
The pungently aromatic fruits are about 2cm long[238]. They are used as a flavouring in savoury dishes, including curries, pulses, breads and pastry snacks[238].
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.
Antiseptic Antispasmodic Aromatic Bitter Cholera Diaphoretic Digestive Diuretic
Expectorant Tonic
The seed, and especially the essential oil in the seed, is strongly antiseptic, antispasmodic, aromatic, bitter, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, expectorant and tonic[238]. It is used internally in the treatment of colds, coughs, influenza, asthma, diarrhoea, cholera, colic, indigestion, wind, oedema, arthritis and rheumatism[238, 240]. The seed is harvested when fully ripe and either distilled for the essential oil or dried for later use[238]. The seed contains about 4 - 6% essential oil, of which 45 - 55% is the strongly antiseptic essential oil 'thymol'[240]. The essential oil is also added to cough medicines[238]. The root is carminative and diuretic[240].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Essential
The seeds are rich in essential oil, 30 - 35% of which is thymol[240], which is more commonly found in Thymus species[238]. The essential oil is added to epoxy derivatives[238]. It is used in perfumes[266].
Special Uses
Scented Plants
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Requires a moist soil in a sunny position[238]. This species is not frost tolerant[238], but it might be possible to grow it outdoors in Britain as a spring sown annual[K]. The plant is extensively cultivated as a spice in S. W. Asia.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Propagation
Seed - we have no information for this species, but suggest that you try sowing the seed in situ in April. If this is not successful, then an earlier sowing in the greenhouse in March, planting out after the last expected frosts might be better[K]. It is quite possible that this species will not like to be transplanted, so either sow 4 - 5 seeds per pot, or sow in a tray and transplant to individual pots as soon as the seedlings are big enough to handle[K].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Plant Search
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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.)Sprague. ex Turrill.
Botanical References
266272
Links / References
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