Elwendia persica

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Elwendia persica
A field of cultivated plants of Elwendia persica
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Apiales
Family: Apiaceae
Genus: Elwendia
Species:
E. persica
Binomial name
Elwendia persica
(Boiss.) Pimenov & Kljuykov
Synonyms
  • Bunium persicum (Boiss.) B.Fedtsch.
  • Carum heterophyllum Regel & Schmalh.
  • Carum persicum Boiss.
  • Pimpinella cyminosma (Basiner) Koso-Pol.
  • Sium cyminosma Basiner

Elwendia persica is a plant species in the family Apiaceae.[1][2] It is related to cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and sometimes called black cumin,[citation needed] blackseed,[citation needed] or black caraway,[3] and has a smoky, earthy taste. It is often confused with Nigella sativa (which is also called black cumin, black caraway, or black seed[4][5]), by which it is often substituted in cooking.

Dried E. persica fruits are used as a culinary spice in northern India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Iran. It is practically unknown outside these areas.[citation needed]

Etymology

Local names for that spice are kala zeera (काला ज़ीरा black cumin) or shahi zeera (शाहि ज़ीरा; imperial cumin) in Hindi, as syah zirah (سیاہ زیرہ; black cumin), kaala zirah (کالا زیرہ; black cumin), and zirah kuhi (زيره كوهی; mountain/wild cumin) in Urdu, zireh kuhi (زيره كوهی; wild cumin) in Persian, and siyoh dona (сиёх дона; black seed) in Tajiki, and in Malayalam sahajīrakaṁ (സഹജീരകം).[citation needed]

The commonly used Hindi term shahi zeera may be a distortion of syahi (black in Persian) zeera. However, in the Hindustani language, the term syahi also means "inky black". In Bengali, kalo zeera also means black cumin, but refers to Nigella, not E. persica. Nigella is widely used as a spice in Bengali food.[citation needed]

Uses

The plant bears slender, elongate, ribbed fruits which are harvested once the plant has become very dry. Not more than 5 to 8 g can be plucked from each plant, contributing to their high price.

The seeds are most valued as a garnish to high value, very special Indian dishes; they should not be ground, as their flavour would be reduced.

  • A pinch of the slender fruits juxtaposed with a one cent coin for scale
    A pinch of the slender fruits juxtaposed with a one cent coin for scale
  • Close-up of slender seed-like fruits (mericarps)
    Close-up of slender seed-like fruits (mericarps)

References

  1. ^ "Elwendia persica (Boiss.) Pimenov & Kljuykov". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  2. ^ "Elwendia persica (Boiss.) Pimenov & Kljuykov". Global Diversity Information Facility. GBIF Secretariat. n.d. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  3. ^ "Bunium persicum". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2022-11-28.
  4. ^ "Nigella sativa". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2022-11-28.
  5. ^ "Black seed". WebMD. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
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