Black cumin
An annual field crop grown for its seed; its nectar pockets attract honey bees in June-July, and bee visits increase seed yield.
- Nectar
- Good
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 0,2-0,5 m
- Life cycle
- Annual
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Black cumin is an annual of the buttercup family from south-western Asia and the eastern Mediterranean, sown as a field crop for its seed. Its pale blue-white flowers have small nectar pockets formed from modified petals; honey bees take nectar from them and pollinate the flowers at the same time. Bee visits have been reported to increase seed yield markedly.
Flowering
In fields sown in spring it flowers for about a month in June and July. In Turkey it is grown in the Lakes Region and Central Anatolia, above all in Burdur and Konya.
Honey and pollen
Besides nectar it also gives a small amount of pollen. Much of what is sold as black cumin honey is a blend with added seed or oil; honey that genuinely comes from black cumin nectar is rare.
Note for the beekeeper
Flowering coincides with the early summer nectar gap, so bringing hives to black cumin fields benefits both the beekeeper and the farmer. If the field is to be sprayed, get advance notice.