Wild Fennel

Nigella arvensis

Physical Characteristics

Nigella arvensis is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). It is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to September, 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.

Distribution

Europe - Mediterranean, to W. Asia. A rare casual in Britain.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed Edible Uses: Condiment Seed - raw or cooked. It is normally used as a flavouring on cakes, bread etc[2, 105, 183].

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

None known