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Sesamum indicum
  • Sesame

an annual member of the Sesamum genus in the family Pedaliaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 10
    Zone 10
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Sesamum indicum has 0 edible uses listed
Sesamum indicum has 0 material uses listed
Sesamum indicum has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Seed - cooked[1][2][3][4][5]. Usually roasted or stewed, it can also be ground into a powder and used as a flour, added to breads, vegetables etc, used to make sweetmeats, or crushed and used as a butter or as 'tahini'[6][7][8][9]. It can also be fermented into 'tempeh', ground into a powder and mixed with a sweetener to make 'halva', or made into a paste and used as the spread 'tahini'[8][9]. The seeds can also be sprouted and used in salads[8]. The seed contains about 21.5% protein, 60.8% fat, 8.9% carbohydrate, 3.4% ash[10]. It is a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids, calcium and vitamins A, B and E[11][9]. The calcium is absorbed well by the body, making sesame an excellent dietary source[9].

An edible oil is obtained from the seed[2][4][5][12]. It is used for cooking or in margarines etc[6][8]. The oil is very stable and will keep for years without turning rancid[13][14][11].

Leaves - raw or cooked as a potherb or added to soups[15][14][8].

Leaves

Unknown use

Unknown part

Oil

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

The seed contains up to 55% of a semi-drying oil[16]. Apart from being edible, it is also used in soap making, lighting, as a lubricant and a source of pharmaceutical drugs etc[7][5][13][9]. When added to the insecticide pyrethrum it acts as a synergist, a 10% content of oil doubling the potency of the pyrethrum[12][17]. The oil can also be used in barrier creams to protect the skin from harmful UV light radiation[11].

Unknown part

Oil
Weather protection

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The leaves and seed are astringent[17][11][18].

The leaves are rich in a gummy matter and when mixed with water they form a rich bland mucilage that is used in the treatment of infant cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, catarrh and bladder troubles[3][9]. The seed is diuretic, emollient, galactogogue, lenitive and tonic[19], and acts as a tonic for the liver and kidneys[9]. It is taken internally in the treatment of premature hair loss and greying, convalescence, chronic dry constipation, dental caries, osteoporosis, stiff joints, dry cough etc[9]. It has a marked ability to increase milk production in nursing mothers[20]. Externally it is used to treat haemorrhoids and ulcers[9][21]. The seed is very high in calories and so should be used with caution by people who are overweight[9]. The oil is laxative and also promotes menstruation[3]. It is used to treat dry constipation in the elderly[9]. Mixed with lime water, the oil is used externally to treat burns, boils and ulcers[9].

A decoction of the root is used in various traditions to treat asthma and coughs[20].

Unknown part

Astringent
Diuretic
Emollient
Galactogogue
Lenitive
Nutritive
Skin
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out after the last expected frosts. Give them the protection of a cloche until they are growing away well[K]. In warm temperate zones, where frosts are very rare and light, or non-existent, the seed can be sown in situ in the spring or the autumn[9].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Sesamum indicum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a well-drained porous soil and a warm sunny sheltered position[1][9].

Sesame has been cultivated for its edible seed for over 5,000 years and is still widely grown in tropical and warm temperate zones[9]. There are many named varieties[8]. The British climate is probably too cool in the summer to successfully grow this crop, though some people have reported success[22]. An early sowing in the greenhouse and some protection when first planting it out will help.

Sesame grows well with sweet corn but it grows badly with sorghum[11].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Sesamum indicum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Sesamum indicum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Sesamum indicum
Genus
Sesamum
Family
Pedaliaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]
Medicinal uses
[17][11][18][3][9][19][20][21]
Material uses & Functions
[16][7][5][13][9][12][17][11]
Botanic
[23][24][25]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
10
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    annual
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1 x 0.5 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Sesamum idicum flos.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Sesamum idicum flos.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Sesamum idicum flos.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Sesamum idicum flos.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Sesamum idicum flos.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Sesamum idicum flos.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Sesamum idicum flos.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Sesamum idicum flos.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Sesamum idicum flos.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Sesamum idicum flos.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Sesamum idicum flos.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Sesamum idicum flos.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Sesamum idicum flos.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Sesamum idicum flos.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Sesamum idicum flos.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.2 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.4 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Harrison. S. Wallis. M. Masefield. G. The Oxford Book of Food Plants. Oxford University Press (1975-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.4 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-262-7 (1979-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.58.6 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    9. ? 9.009.019.029.039.049.059.069.079.089.099.109.119.129.139.149.159.169.17 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre (1977-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.311.411.511.611.7 Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-304-34324-2 (1993-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.3 Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
    13. ? 13.013.113.213.3 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.2 Rosengarten. jnr. F. The Book of Edible Nuts. Walker & Co. ISBN 0802707699 (1984-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.1 Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth. ()
    17. ? 17.017.117.217.3 Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants. ()
    18. ? 18.018.1 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    19. ? 19.019.1 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    20. ? 20.020.120.2 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    21. ? 21.021.1 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (1986-00-00)
    22. ? Larkcom J. Oriental Vegetables John Murray ISBN 0-7195-4781-4 (1991-00-00)
    23. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-50
    24. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-93
    25. ? [Flora of China] (1994-00-00)

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    Facts about "Sesamum indicum"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyPedaliaceae +
    Belongs to genusSesamum +
    Has common nameSesame +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partLeaves +, Unknown part + and Seeds +
    Has edible useUnknown use + and Oil +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone10 +
    Has imageSesamum idicum flos.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typeAnnual +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useOil + and Weather protection +
    Has mature height1 +
    Has mature width0.5 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAstringent +, Diuretic +, Emollient +, Galactogogue +, Lenitive +, Nutritive +, Skin + and Tonic +
    Has primary imageSesamum idicum flos.jpg +
    Has search namesesamum indicum + and x +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameSesamum indicum +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +