Nigella L.

Annual herbs. Leaves 2 - 3-pinnatisect or decompound; lobes linear. Flowers often with an involucre of 5 leaves, protandrous. Sepals 5, petaloid, shortly clawed. Petals (honey leaves) 5 - 8, opposite to and smaller than sepals, 2-lipped, pocket-like, nectariferous. Stamens many. Carpels 5, connate up to apex; styles free. Fruit of 5 united follicles, many-seeded.

Europe, Mediterranean regions and C. Asia; 20 species, one in India, usually cultivated, rarely as escape.

List of Lower Taxa