Description
Carom also known as thymol seeds, bishop’s weed, ajwain, ajowan, ajowan caraway, is an annual herb (Trachyspermum Ammi) of the Apiaceae family. The name “bishop’s weed” also is a common name for other plants. This spice is native to India and Middle East. The plant is mainly cultivated in Iran and India.
Carom or ajwain can be easily grown at home in small flower pot and is generally grown from seeds. The period from October to November is ideal for sowing the seeds. The pot should be kept in partial shade and away from strong sunlight. Ajwain is overly sensitive to water. Care must be taken to only spray water. Usually, the harvesting stage comes within six months. The stems are striate, the leaves are rather distant, 2-3-pinnately divided, the segments linear. The flowers occur in terminal or seemingly-lateral pedunculate, compound umbels, white and small. Ajwain fruits are greyish brown in colour and ovoid in shape.
