Niger seed in a bird feeder - Photo by Robert Young
Niger seeds are grown as an oil crop in Ethiopia, but the seeds are also popular as bird seed.
Names
Scientific
Guizotia abyssinica
Synonym
Guizotia oleifera
English
Blackseed
Niger seed
Noog
Noug
Nug
Nyjer
Ramtil
Ramtilla
Dutch
Nigerzaad
German
Ramtillkraut
Taxonomy
Genus
Guizotia
Family
Asteraceae
Order
Asterales
Basic information and facts
Origin:
Ethiopia
Distribution:
Highest production in Ethiopia and India.
Annual, biennial, or perennial:
Annual
Flowers:
Yellow flowers
Uses:
Used to produce an edible oil. Seeds are also used as fodder for birds or as a spice in some curries.
Crop categories
Vegetable oils
Tropical crops
Subtropical crops
Forage and fodder crops
Pictures
Niger seed in a bird feeder - Photo by Robert Young