Niger Seed

Niger seed is native to Ethiopia and is now grown widely in India and Africa. It is an erect branched annual, around 2’ tall and equally wide, and covered with yellow daisy flowers. It is grown for its very small black seeds, which in North America are used to feed wild finches but can also yield an edible oil. My previous attempt to grow it was unsuccessful but this is an early cultivar and we had good results in 2019. I was unsure when to harvest the seed so I imagine that a lot of seed shelled out and I expect many volunteer plants this spring.

Guizotia abyssinica