Niger seed. Niger seed oil is obtained from the seeds of Niger plant, which belongs to the Asteraceae family and of the Guizotia genus. The botanical name of the plant is Guizotia abyssinica. The Niger plant is an erect, stout, branched annual herb, grown for its edible seeds and oil.Cultivation for the plant originated in the Ethiopian highlands, and has since spread from Malawi to India.iger seed oil is obtained from the seeds of Niger plant, which belongs to the Asteraceae family and of the Guizotia genus. The botanical name of the plant is Guizotia abyssinica.