Elwendia persica is a plant species in the family Apiaceae.

[1][2] It is related to cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and sometimes called black cumin,[citation needed] blackseed,[citation needed] or black caraway,[3] and has a smoky, earthy taste.

Dried E. persica fruits are used as a culinary spice in northern India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Iran.

However, in the Hindustani language, the term syahi also means "inky black".

In Bengali, kalo zeera also means black cumin, but refers to Nigella, not E. persica.