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Sesamum indicum L.
| Family Name: | Pedaliaceae |
| Synonyms: | Sesamum orientale L. |
| Common Name: | Sesame, Beniseed, 芝麻 (zhi ma) |
Sesame seeds are a valuable source of food in Asia.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Annual |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Columnar |
| Maximum Height | 155 cm to 185 cm |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Bangladesh, India, West Himalaya |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Spontaneous (Naturalised)) |
| CITES Protection | False |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Annual herb up to 1.85 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Upper leaves are lanceolate, while lower leaves are tri-lobed (7.5 - 12.7 cm long). |
| Flowers | White, tubular flowers hang down from the stem. Bisexual flowers can self-pollinate. |
| Fruit | The seed capsule breaks open to release small, edible seeds. |
| Cultivation | It grows best in well-drained, sandy loam soil and tolerates drought and high heat well. It has moderate tolerance for saline soils, but does not tolerate waterlogged soils. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Seeds Food (Herb or Spice) |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Fragrant, Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Abiotic (Self-Pollinated), Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils, Drought Tolerant |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Typical Foliar Size | 7.5 cm to 12.7 cm |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Black, Brown, White, Yellow / Golden |
| Mature Seed Texture(s) | Smooth |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32787 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 7200 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
