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Cuminum cyminum
  • Cumin

an annual member of the Cuminum genus in the family Umbelliferae.

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Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 8
    Zone 8
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Cuminum cyminum has 0 edible uses listed
Cuminum cyminum has 0 material uses listed
Cuminum cyminum has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Seed - cooked as a flavouring. Cumin seed was once widely used as a food flavouring in Europe, the Romans ground it into a powder and used it like pepper[1]. It is little used at present in Western cooking, though it is much employed in India[1]. A hot and aromatic flavour, it is an important ingredient in curries, and is also often used as a flavouring in biscuits, cakes and bread where it also helps in improving the digestion[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. The seed is harvested when fully ripe and is then dried and stored in airtight jars[10]. An essential oil from the seed is used as a food flavouring[7][11][9].

Unknown part

Condiment

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

The seed contains about 2.5% essential oil[12]. It is used in perfumery and for flavouring beverages[7][11][13][14].

Unknown part

Essential
Insecticide

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Cumin is an aromatic, astringent herb that benefits the digestive system and acts as a stimulant to the sexual organs[15]. It has been used in the treatment of minor digestive complaints, chest conditions and coughs, as a pain killer and to treat rotten teeth[15][16]. Cumin is seldom used in Western herbal medicine, having been superseded by caraway which has similar properties but a more pleasant flavour[3]. It is still widely used in India, however[3] where it is said to promote the assimilation of other herbs and to improve liver function[15].

The seed is antispasmodic, carminative, galactogogue, stimulant and stomachic[3][7][12][16]. A general tonic to the whole digestive system, it is used in the treatment of flatulence and bloating, reducing intestinal gas and relaxing the gut as a whole[16]. In India it is also used in the treatment of insomnia, colds and fevers and to improve milk production in nursing mothers[16]. Ground into a powder and mixed into a paste with onion juice, it has been applied to scorpion stings[16]. The herb has been used externally as a poultice to relieve stitch and pains in the side[10].

The essential oil obtained from the seed is antibacterial and larvicidal[15].

Unknown part

Antibacterial
Antispasmodic
Aphrodisiac
Carminative
Galactogogue
Poultice
Stimulant
Stomachic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in individual pots in a greenhouse. Grow the plants on fast, and plant them out after the last expected frosts[17]. Give the plants some temporary protection such as a cloche for their first few weeks in the open ground to make sure that they keep on growing in the cooler weather of early summer[K].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Cuminum cyminum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Tolerant of most well-drained soils[1], though it prefers a warm fertile well-drained sandy loam in a sheltered sunny position[4][17].

A frost-tender annual plant, cumin has been cultivated for over 2,000 years in warm temperate and tropical zones for its edible seed. This is used mainly as a flavouring in curries etc, though it has also been employed medicinally[3][7][8]. The plant only succeeds outdoors in Britain in warm summers, taking 3 - 4 months to ripen its seed[17]. Another report says that the plant can ripen its seeds as far north as Norway[1].

When bruised, the plant has a pungent aroma[18].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Cuminum cyminum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Cuminum cyminum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Cuminum cyminum
Genus
Cuminum
Family
Umbelliferae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]
Medicinal uses
[15][16][3][7][12][10]
Material uses & Functions
[12][7][11][13][14]
Botanic
[17]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
8
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    annual
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.3 x 0.2 meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Historical CUMIN.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Historical CUMIN.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Historical CUMIN.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Historical CUMIN.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Historical CUMIN.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Historical CUMIN.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Historical CUMIN.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Historical CUMIN.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Historical CUMIN.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Historical CUMIN.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Historical CUMIN.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Historical CUMIN.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Historical CUMIN.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Historical CUMIN.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.4 Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. ISBN 0-85613-067-2 (1979-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.53.6 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-262-7 (1979-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8 ()
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.57.67.7 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth. ()
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.4 Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. ISBN 0-330-30725-8 (1990-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.3 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.3 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (1986-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.1 Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-527-6 (2002-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.215.315.4 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.116.216.316.416.5 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    17. ? 17.017.117.217.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    18. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)

    "image:Historical CUMIN.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Cuminum_cyminum&oldid=76679"
    Facts about "Cuminum cyminum"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyUmbelliferae +
    Belongs to genusCuminum +
    Has binomial nameCuminum cyminum +
    Has common nameCumin +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part + and Seed +
    Has edible useCondiment + and Unknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile + and Insects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone8 +
    Has imageHistorical CUMIN.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typeAnnual +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useEssential + and Insecticide +
    Has mature height0.3 +
    Has mature width0.2 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntibacterial +, Antispasmodic +, Aphrodisiac +, Carminative +, Galactogogue +, Poultice +, Stimulant + and Stomachic +
    Has primary imageHistorical CUMIN.jpg +
    Has search namecuminum cyminum + and cumin +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy + and Loamy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameCuminum cyminum +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Cuminum cyminum +, Cuminum cyminum +, Cuminum cyminum +, Cuminum cyminum +, Cuminum cyminum +, Cuminum cyminum +, Cuminum cyminum +, Cuminum cyminum +, Cuminum cyminum +, Cuminum cyminum +, Cuminum cyminum + and Cuminum cyminum +