Nigella damascena
Love in a mist
Nigella damascena (Love in a mist) is an annual garden flowering plant, belonging to the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). It is native to southern Europe (but adventive in more northern countries of Europe), north Africa and southwest Asia. It is also commonly grown in gardens in North America. It is found on neglected, damp patches of land. The plant's common name comes from the flower being nestled in a ring of multifid, lacy bracts. It's also sometimes called Devil in the Bush or Devil-in-a-cage. It grows to 20-50 cm tall, with pinnately divided, thread-like, alternate leaves. The flowers are white, pink, pale blue or pale purple, with 5-10 sepals. The actual petals are located at the base of the stamens and are minute and clawed. The sepals are the only colored part of the perianth. The 4-5 carpels of the compound pistil have each an erect style. The flowers blossom in May and June.