

How to identify Cumin (Cuminum cyminum)
Cumin is characterized by its slender, branched stems that stretch upward to about 30-60 cm (1-2 feet) in height. The plant bears deeply lobed leaves, resembling those found in the parsley family, which are arranged alternately on the stem. Small, white to pinkish flowers form umbrella-like clusters and bloom in the warm season. Following the flowering period, cumin produces a fruit that is elongated, ribbed, and houses the aromatic seeds favored for culinary uses. The entire plant exudes a distinctive, earthy fragrance when brushed or crushed.
Slender, branched stems reach 30-60 cm (1-2 feet) in height.
Deeply lobed, parsley-like leaves arranged alternately on stem.
Small, white to pinkish umbrella-like flowers in warm season.
Distinct, elongated, ribbed fruit with aromatic seeds.
Entire plant exudes earthy fragrance when brushed or crushed.
The leaves of cumin are deeply divided into long, narrow segments, resembling fennel but smaller. They exhibit a lush deep green color, sometimes blackening at the ends. The upper leaves have very short stalks, while the lower leaves are attached by longer stalks. These leaves are fine and feathery in texture, enhancing their delicate appearance. Their vein pattern is subtle, supporting the long, slender shape, perfect for photosynthesis in cumin's native habitat.
The small, delicate flowers of cumin are arrayed in umbels that sit atop slender stems. Each umbel comprises 5 to 7 umbellets, creating a fluffy, canopy-like structure. The flowers possess both male and female structures and feature fine, feathery petals in a white to pale pink hue. Typically, each flower measures about 1/16 inch (1-2 mm) in diameter. Blooming generally occurs in early summer, emitting a subtle, aromatic scent that is quite distinctive.
The stem of cumin is slender, measuring 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) tall and 1 1/4 to 2 inches (3 to 5 cm) in diameter. It branches into 2 or 3 subbranches and is glabrous, giving it a smooth texture. These branches grow to similar heights, forming a uniform flat canopy. The branching pattern and height create a distinctive appearance crucial for identifying cumin.
The fruit of cumin is a distinct, small, dry, and conical shaped structure, measuring less than 1/4 inch (6 mm) in length, and exhibits a texture covered with fine hairs. Mature fruits maintain their integrity by not splitting open and encase a single, harvestable seed. This seed is noteworthy for its yellow-brown to gray hue and features eight prominent ridges, each accompanied by oil canals, contributing to its characteristic appearance and use as a spice.
Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.
The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.
Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.
The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.
The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.
The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.
Scientific Classification of Cumin