Nigella L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1964, Flora Europaea - Volume 1. Lycopodiaceae to Platanaceae, Cambridge University Press : 209

4. Nigella L. 1

Annuals. Leaves usually 2- to 3-pinnatisect into linear segments. Perianth-segments 5, petaloid, persistent for a time after flowering. Honey-leaves 5, opposite to and much smaller than the perianth-segments. Stamens numerous. Fruit of 5 (rarely 10) partly or completely united follicles; styles long, patent or rarely erect. 1 Flowers yellowish-white; lower lip of honey-leaves very short;

seeds compressed 12. orientalis 1 Flowers blue, bluish or greenish; lower lip of honey-leaves at least I as long as upper; seeds ovoid or triquetrous 2 Anthers mucronate, occasionally shortly so 3 Cauline leaves with short, ovate or oblong segments, or sometimes undivided 4 Follicles transversely rugose, united to the middle 6. eretica 4 Follicles not transversely rugose, united for c. | their length

5. degenii 3 Cauline leaves deeply divided into linear segments 5 Beak l |- 2 times as long as follicle 8. doerfleri 5 Beak not longer than follicle 6 Follicles 3-veined throughout, united for c. | of their length

1. arvensis 6 Follicles 1-veined, united for % or more of their length

7 Claw of perianth-segments not more than | as long as limb; follicles usually densely glandular 2. hispanica

7 Claw of perianth-segments | as long to as long as limb;

follicles eglandular or sparsely glandular

8 Claw of perianth-segments usually more than i as long as limb; lobes of lower lip of honey-leaves with a

Ungulate, obtuse apex 3. gallica

8 Claw of perianth-segments as long as limb; lobes of lower lip of honey-leaves with an acute apex

4. segetalis 2 Anthers not mucronate 9 Involucre absent 10 Stems procumbent; leaf-segments small, ovate; follicles united for | of their length 7. fumariifolia 10 Stems erect; leaf-segments linear; follicles united for nearly all their length (see also 4) 9. sativa

9 Flowers with an involucre 11 Perianth-segments not clawed; lobes of lower lip of honeyleaves c. 3 times as long as broad; fruit 5-celled 10. elata

11 Perianth-segments shortly clawed; lobes of lower lip of honey-leaves about as long as broad; fruit 10-celled

11. damascena