Nigella sativa is an annual flowering plant,native to south and southwest Asia.It grows to 20-30 cm(7.9-12 in) tall,with finaly divided,linear(but not thread-like) leaves.
In English,Nigella sativa seed is variously called fennel flower,nutmeg flower,Roman coriander,blackseed or black caraway.Other names used,sometimes misleadingly,are onion seed and black sesame,both of which are similar looking, but unrelated.