Trachyspermum ammi (L)Sprague. Bishop's Weed
NOMENCLATURE
Trachyspermum: from Greek, ___________:
rough. & spermum : seeded.
ammi: name of plant in Latin.
PREVIOUS NAMES : T. capticum. Ammi capticum. Carum capticum
OTHER NAMES : Carom, Ajowan, Bishops Weed, Ajwan.
BSBI Picture Link to Trachyspermum ammi
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
TYPE: glabrous annual. AROMA : fruit aromatic. STEMS : hollow, striate, much branched.
UMBELS: compound. 5-10 (20) smooth or sparsely puberulent rays.
lcm. Peduncle > than rays. Hermaphrodite.
LEAVES : lower 2-3 pinnatisect, withered by flrng time, long petiolate. Lobes 1-2 cm, linear or
filiform. Upper leaves smaller, similar, or simply pinnatisect. Shortly petiolate, short sheathing base.
BRACTS : 4-5, linear, sometimes lobed. Bracteoles 3-6, linear-lanceolate. Sparseley puberulent.
FLOWERS : white, sepals small, acute. Petals hairy beneath. Styles form a stylopodium. Fl 9.
FRUIT: 15-20mm, ovoid, laterally compressed. Covered in grey papillae. Commisure narrow.
Mericarps with prominent ridges. Carpophore present. Vittae solitary. Pedicels 1-4mm, hairy.
Styles x2 > as stylopodium, recurved. Stigma capitate. 2n=18.
HABITAT: rubbish tips.
DISTRIBUTION : native to E. Mediterranean.
BSBI Distribution Map for Trachyspermum ammi
MEDICINAL USES
EFFECT : tonic, diuretic, expectorant, relaxes spasms, improves digestion,
increases persipiration, antiseptic.
PARTS : seeds, oil.
APPLICATION : internally for colds, coughs, influenza, asthma, diarrhoea, cholera, colic, indegestion, wind, oedema, arthritis, rheumatism. Externally for vaginal discharge, rheumatism.
EDIBLE USES
Fruit used for flavouring curries, pulses, bread, pastry snacks in India, Iran, Afghanistan.
EXTERNAL LINKS FOR Trachyspermum ammi
These links to trusted websites and institutions may provide in depth or additional information regards cultivation, chemistry, edibility, images etc. for the species. Links last updated Aug 2012.
Wikipedia (EU) Plants For a Future (UK)
National Center for Biotechnology Information (USA)
Food & Agriculture Org of UN
International Food Research Journal
Gernot Katzers Spice Pages (AUSTRIA)
'Online Guide To Umbelliferae Of The British Isles' Compiled By J.M.Burton 2002.