'Transformer' Nigella

Nigella orientalis Origin: Mediterranean region Improvement status: Cultivar Seeds per packet: ~60 Germination tested 08/2024: 78% Life cycle: Annual Flower lovers are familiar with love-in-a-mist (Nigella damascena), while foodies and traditional medicine practitioners know kalonji or black seed (Nigella sativa), both of which are available in our catalog. But we're thrilled to be getting to know this lesser known third species — Nigella orientalis — one of the eighteen described species in the Nigella genus (itself a part of the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae).  Also called yellow fennel flower or jester's hat, Nigella orientalis is mostly grown as a cut flower, and the 'Transformer' selection is equally beautiful fresh or dried, at most any stage of development. The flower has an unusual structure: what appear to be its yellow petals are actually enlarged sepals, while the actual petals are smaller and darker. The middle part of the flower is "a mane of stout stamens surrounding a