CARAWAY
Caraway (Carum carui).
The common name, caraway or carraway, is given to the dried fruits carum carui, which is a biennial umbelliferous plant. The English name caraway and the Spanish name alcarahuega are derived from the name given to the fruit by the Arabians, “karawya.” It is a native of Great Britain, growing on very low ground with a root much like the parsnip. The seeds are sown in drills in the autumn soon after they are ripe, and must be thinned out the same as carrots and other similar plants, and must be kept free from weeds. They will flower in June and are ready for harvesting in July. The plant grows two or three feet high. The leaves are long and subdivided into numerous pinnulæ or segments which are narrow-pointed and of a dark color. The flowers grow in terminal umbels. The seeds are two, naked, brown, striated, and of an oblong shape, hot and acrid but pleasant to the taste. The seed abounds in essential oil containing gummy and resinous parts. Its tincture is used as a stomachic and carminative. It is used as a flavoring in cooking.