Nigella arvensis
Nigella arvensis, commonly known as field nigella, is a delicate annual herb belonging to the Ranunculaceae family. Native to Europe and parts of Asia, this botanical species is characterized by its fine, feathery foliage and small, pale flowers. It plays a vital role in local ecosystems and traditional herbal studies.
- Scientific name: Nigella arvensis
- Family: Ranunculaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Nigella arvensis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae within the order Ranunculales. Ultimately, it is a member of the family Ranunculaceae and falls under the genus Nigella.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ranunculales | WCVP |
| Family | Ranunculaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Nigella | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Nigella arvensis, is recognized by various regional names across different languages. In German, it is called Acker-Schwarzkümmel, while in Polish, it is referred to as Czarnuszka polna. Its names in other languages include полска челeбитka in Bulgarian, Чернушка полевая in Russian, and Nigelle des champs in French.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| de | Acker-Schwarzkümmel | Wikidata |
| pl | Czarnuszka polna | Wikidata |
| bg | полска челебитка | Wikidata |
| ru | Чернушка полевая | Wikidata |
| fr | Nigelle des champs | Wikidata |
| hsb | Rólna čornucha | Wikidata |
| uk | Чорнушка польова | Wikidata |
| sv | Åkernigella | Wikidata |
| cs | černucha rolní | Wikidata |
| et | põld-mustköömen | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Nigella arvensis, exhibits a specific distribution across various regions of Middle Europe. It can be found growing within the borders of Austria, contributing to the local flora. The species is also documented in Belgium, extending its presence towards the western parts of the continent. Moving eastward, its range encompasses the territories of Czechia and Slovakia. Finally, this medicinal plant is well-established in both Germany and Hungary.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Netherlands | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Poland | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Switzerland | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Sardegna | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Nigella arvensis, possesses distinct botanical structures that contribute to its medicinal profile, most notably through its chemical composition. While the plant features characteristic flowers and seeds, its therapeutic potential is closely linked to the presence of essential oils found within its tissues. These essential oils act as a concentrated source of bioactive compounds, providing the plant with its unique aromatic properties and contributing to its various pharmacological activities.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Essential oils | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Nigella arvensis has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include H2O2, carotenoid, chlorophylls, proline.
- Total chemicals
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| H2O2 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| carotenoid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chlorophylls | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| proline | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |