With a popular name like Love-in-a-Mist, one could guess that Nigella damascena would have a romantic story. In truth, however, for the most part, this annual herb is referred to as Love-in-a-Mist for its vibrant blue flowers that appear to float in a mist of delicate, pinnate, bright green leaves.
Some other names for the plant are faux cumin, Roman coriander, gith, fitch, devil-in-the-bush, black caraway, black cumin, kalonji, and wild Fennel. Native to North Africa and southern Europe, Nigella damascena is one of 15 species[1] of this genus in the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family.
Love-in-a-Mist is a small to mid-sized annual plant that grows 15 to 24 inches tall and up to a foot wide (when not crowded).
The plants have finely cut, light green leaves that resemble those of fennel. Light green, finely distributed, thread-like bracts form the “mist” that surrounds the jewel-shaped flowers.
The flowers are usually pale blue to light blue, but some can be lavender, pink, or white. Each flower is 1½-inches wide, with five large, petal-shaped sepals and tiny, deeply divided petals hidden under the stamens.
