Nigella L.
Annual herbs. Lvs basal and cauline, 2-3-pinnatisect, the lower petiolate, the upper sessile; segments linear to filiform. Fls terminal on stems and branches, often closely invested by an involucre of lvs. Sepals 5 (more in cvs), petaloid, yellowish white, bluish, or greenish, not spurred. Petals 5 (0 in cvs), lobed and bearing nectaries, < sepals, not spurred. Stamens many. Carpels 5-(10), united, sometimes only at base; ovules many; styles long. Fr. a capsule composed of 5-(10) usually united follicles.
20 spp., Europe to C. Asia. Naturalised sp. 1.
