Ajwain, ajowan or ajwan, also carom (Trachyspermumammi) is an annual herb in the family Apiaceae. It originated in the eastern Mediterranean, possibly Egypt, and spread up to India from the Near East. Both the leaves and the fruit pods (often mistakenly called seeds) of the plant are used for human consumption. The plant is also called bishop's weed, but this is a common name it shares with some other different plants. The 'seed' (i.e., the fruit pod) is often confused with lovage seed.