Nigella damascena

Love-in-a-Mist,  Devil-in-a-bush                                      Νικέλα, μαυροσήσαμο





Ranunculaceae - buttercup family                                                                   Dicot.
 
 

Nigella damascena are well known as popular flowers in English country gardens, These pretty little blue nigella flowers were seen amongst the sparse vegetation along the edge of the road  up monastery hill, and in the valley leading down to Glisteri. They are easily overlooked amongst the surrounding vegetation.

The sky-blue flowers are held on erect smooth stems. The flowers are delicate but complex, with 5 pale blue petal-like sepals; the true petals are tiny, deep blue and are nectiferous, creating the sweet liquor which attracts insects; they have characteristic coiled green styles. The leaves are deeply cut into fine, feathery  lobes; the upper leaves surround the flower heads. The plant has interesting "pepper-pot" seed heads.

 

30mm, 15-30cm                                                      JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

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