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
Order
Asterales
Family
Asteraceae
Genus
Guizotia
Species
Guizotia abyssinica (Niger seed)
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
Forage and fodder crops
Mediterranean crops
Minor crops
Subtropical crops
Temperate crops
Tropical crops
Vegetable oils