Love-In-A-Mist, Devil in the bush

Nigella damascena

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.

Distribution

Europe - Mediterranean. A rare casual in Britain.

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].

Medicinal Uses

Expectorant Expectorant[148].

Known Hazards

None known