Nigella arvensis, commonly known as field nigella or wild fennel flower, is an annual herb native to a variety of habitats including grasslands, fields, and open woodlands in North Africa, central, southern, and eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and the Middle East. It typically grows to a height of 20-50 cm and has a delicate, lacy foliage with finely divided leaves. The plant produces solitary, pale blue to white flowers with five to ten petals, blooming from late spring to early summer. The flowers are followed by distinctive inflated seed pods that are often used in dried flower arrangements.

Field nigella is valued for its charming flowers and unique seed pods, which add interest to garden borders and wildflower meadows. It is relatively low-maintenance, preferring full sun to light shade and thriving in well-drained soils. While not commonly cultivated, it can be grown from seed and is sometimes used in traditional medicine. It is also considered a good plant for pollinators. However, it can be susceptible to fungal diseases in wet conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0