Nigella sativa (common names, black caraway, black cumin, nigella or kalonji) is an annual flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to western Asia (Arabia, the Levant, Cyprus, Turkey, Iran and Iraq), and eastern Europe (Bulgaria and Romania). It is naturalised over parts of Europe, northern Africa, and east to Myanmar. It is used as a spice in various food preparations, especially in Arab and Halal cuisines.