Nigella damascena L. (Νιγέλλα)

Οικογένεια: Ρανουγκουλίδες

Νιγέλλα η δαμασκηνή (Nigella damascena L.)

Erect, sparingly branched annual, usually 15–40 cm tall. Cauline leaves subsessile, divided into numerous linear-lanceolate laciniae. Uppermost 3–5 leaves crowded just below the flower, longer than it and forming a conspicuous involucre, divaricately dissected into linear-setaceous laciniae. Sepals 12–20 mm, bright sky-blue to almost white; claw c. 1/3 as long as limb. Honey leaves bluishviolet; lobes of lower lip sparsely pilose towards apex. Follicles 5, united except for styles. Capsule strongly inflated, broadly ellipsoid, smooth, divided by a periclinal wall into an inner seed-bearing part and an outer empty part, the capsule thus 10-locular. Seeds ovoid-triquetrous.

Τα μαύρα σποράκια που βρίσκονται μέσα στον καρπό μιας πολύ συγγενούς Νιγέλλας (Nigella sativa), αποτελούν το μαύρο σουσάμι ή μαυροκούκι. Περισσότερες πληροφορίες στα Χλωρίδα μας, Φυτολόγιο, greekflora.gr, Flora of Greece.

Nigella damascena

Nigella damascena (σε μπλε)

Nigella damascena (σε άσπρο)

Nigella damascena (λίγο πριν ωριμάσει ο καρπός)