NIGER SEEDS

Category: Oil Seed

Product Code:NIGER

Overview

The seed of the African yellow daisy Guizotia abyssinica, Niger is known by many names. Originally called Niger in reference to Nigeria and the plant’s origin, the name was trademarked as Niger in 1998 by the Wild Bird Feeding Industry to clarify pronunciation. Many backyard birders also call the seed thistle, but in fact Niger is not related to thistle plants or seeds. It is believed that calling the seed thistle may have become popular because goldfinches, which adore Niger, also feed on thistle and use thistle down to construct their nests.

The popular finch seed Niger (Guizotia abyssinica) is native to the highlands of Ethiopia. Niger is in the composite (Sunflower) family and is quite closely related to the popular garden plants Cosmos (genus Coreopsis). It has yellow Cosmos-like flowers and grows up to 6 feet tall. The seeds contain up to 40% oil and in Ethiopia, India and Myanmar (Burma) it is an important oil seed crop. Ethiopian immigrants possibly introduced the seed to India around 3000BC along with other important food plants such as Millet. Niger supplies 50% of the vegetable oil used in Ethiopia and 3% in India. It is also heated and made into a paste and eaten directly. The meal left after oil extraction is used as a livestock food. It is a useful crop in the tropics because it is relatively pest free and can be grown in clay and waterlogged soils.