Maturing seed pods of coriander on a plant called cilantro. Coriander - Coriandrum sativum - is native to regions spanning from southern Europe and northern Africa to southwestern Asia. It is a soft plant growing to 50 cm (20 inches) tall. The leaves are variable in shape, broadly lobed at the base of the plant, and slender and feathery higher on the flowering stems. The fruit is a globular, dry schizocarp 3-5 mm (0.12-0.20 inch) in diameter. The seeds are generally used as a spice or an added ingredient in other foods or recipes, although sometimes they are eaten alone. The dry fruits are known as coriander seeds. In Indian cuisine they are called dhania. The seeds have a lemony citrus flavour when crushed, due to terpenes linalool and pinene. It is described as warm, nutty, spicy, and orange-flavoured. Maturing seedpods are shown on the plant.