| Home | > | List of cultivated families | > | Pedaliaceae | > | Sesamum | > | indicum |
| Synonyms: |
Anthadenia sesamoides Ch. Lem. Sesamum hopkinsii Suessseng. Sesamum indicum L. var. integerrimum Engl. Sesamum orientale L. Volkameria orientalis (L.) Kuntze |
| Common names: | |
| Description: | Erect annual herb, up to 120 cm tall; stem obtusely 4-angled, finely pubescent to almost hairless, more or less glandular. Leaves opposite or alternate, very variable in shape. Lower leaves lanceolate to ovate, 3-lobed, 3–partite or 3-foliate, 4–20 cm long; margins often serrate; petiole 3–11 cm long. Upper leaves oblong-lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, 0.5–2.5 cm broad, margin usually entire; petiole 3-5 cm long. All leaves thinly pubescent and more or less glandular. Flowers 1.5–3.3 cm. long, white, pink or mauve-pink with darker markings. Capsule narrowly oblong in lateral view, 4-sided, covered with horizontal stripes, rounded at the base, 1.5–3.0 cm long; beak broad and short. |
| Notes: | Cultivated in the tropics and subtropics for the oil from its seed. FZ 8(3), p. 105-6 is not clear about the status of this plant. We assume that it is a cultivated species escaping from time to time in Zimbabwe. |
| Derivation of specific name: | indica: of India |
| Flowering time: | |
| Worldwide distribution: | Native to India but widely cultivated throughout the tropics and known as an occasional escape from cultivation. |
| Growth form(s): | |
| Insects associated with this species: | Antigastra catalaunalis (Larval food plant) |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Image last updated: | Tuesday 13 February 2007 |
| Literature: |
Bedigian, D. (2024). Pedaliaceae Flore d'Afrique Centrale Nouvelle Serie Botanic Garden Meise, Belgium Pages 11 - 15. (Includes a picture). Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 156. Ihlenfeldt, H.-D. (1988). Pedaliaceae Flora Zambesiaca 8(3) Pages 105 - 106. (Includes a picture). Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 66. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 83. |
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