Sesamum indicum L.

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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:

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.

Other sources of information about Sesamum indicum:

Our websites:

Flora of Caprivi: cultivated Sesamum indicum
Flora of Mozambique: Sesamum indicum
Flora of Mozambique: cultivated Sesamum indicum
Flora of Zambia: Sesamum indicum
Flora of Zambia: cultivated Sesamum indicum
Flora of Zimbabwe: Sesamum indicum

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Sesamum indicum
African Plant Database: Sesamum indicum
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Sesamum indicum
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Sesamum indicum
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Sesamum indicum
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Sesamum indicum
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Sesamum indicum
JSTOR Plant Science: Sesamum indicum
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Sesamum indicum
Plants of the World Online: Sesamum indicum
Tropicos: Sesamum indicum
Wikipedia: Sesamum indicum


Copyright: Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Meg Coates Palgrave, 2002-24

Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgrave, M. (2024). Flora of Zimbabwe: Cultivated Plants: Species information: Sesamum indicum.
https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/cult/species.php?species_id=152560, retrieved 19 March 2024

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