| Bunium persicum | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Apiaceae |
| Genus: | Bunium |
| Species: | B. persicum |
| Binomial name | |
| Bunium persicum (Boiss.) B. Fedtsch.[1] |
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| Synonyms | |
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Bunium bulbocastanum |
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Bunium persicum is a plant species in the family Apiaceae. It is related to cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and commonly called "black cumin", though this term is ambiguous and if anything refers to the unrelated Nigella sativa (Fennelflower or "black onion seed") more often than to B. persicum. Authorities differ on whether Bunium bulbocastanum (formerly included in genus Carum), commonly called Great Pignut or Earth Chestnut, is a different but closely related species, or – as it is treated here – a junior synonym of B. persicum.
Dried Bunium persicum fruits are used as a culinary spice in northern India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Iran. It is practically unknown outside these areas. The tuber-like root is locally collected for food; the "pignut" or chestnut" names refer to it.
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Local names for that spice are kala jeera (black cumin) or shahi jeera (imperial cumin) in Hindi, as زيره كوهی (zireh kuhi, "wild cumin") in Persian and as сиёх дона (siyoh dona, "black seed") in Tajiki.
The commonly used Hindi term shahi jeera may be a distortion of syahi (black in Persian) jeera. However, in the Hindustani Language, the term syahi also means "inky black". In Bengali, kalo jeera also means black cumin, but refers to Nigella, not B. persicum. Nigella is widely used as a spice in Bengali food, while B. persicum is rare.
The plant grows wild in a wide range from southeastern Europe east to southern Asia. It reaches about 60 centimetres (24 in) tall and 25 centimetres (9.8 in) wide, bearing frilly leaves and hermaphroditic flowers; it is pollinated by insects and self-fertile. The plants from which one can pick Kala Zeera are seen in the higher-elevation region of Drass and Kargil sector in Leh region. The plants are not more than a metre in height and about two feet in width.
The bush bears small size seeds and one can pluck them once the plant/bush is very dry. Not more than 5 to 8 grams of Zeera can be plucked from each bush, contributing to the high price of $ 2 per 10 gms(1987 rates).
The small, rounded taproot is edible raw or cooked, and said to taste like sweet chestnuts. The leaf can be used as an herb or garnish similar to parsley.
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