Nigella damascena

or Love-in-the Mist, or Devil in the Bush, belongs to the buttercup family and has been growing in this country since the Elizabethan era.

The Nigella seeds as used in cookery come from the species Nigella sativa which have also been used in the ancient Egyptian times having been found in the tomb of Tutankhamum.

Visited East Lambrook this afternoon to a preview of Moish Sokal's beautiful paintings held at the former home of the late Margery Fish one of the great gardeners (which is now on the market).  The watercolours were as beautiful as ever of  many scenes in overseas countries as well as some of the Jurassic Coast and South Somerset.  Moish travels the world extensively and so his paintings are full of life and colour and atmosphere.