Sesamum
(from Sesamon, the old Greek name used by Hippocrates). ORD. Pedalineae. A genus comprising nine or ten species of stove, erect or prostrate herbs, all natives of tropical or South Africa. Flowers pale or violet, solitary in the axils, shortly pedicellate; calyx rather small, five-parted; corolla tube decurved; limb sub-bilabiate, the lobes five, somewhat spreading; stamens four. Capsules oblong or ovoid, two-celled, each cell containing numerous oily seeds. Lowest leaves opposite; uppermost ones, or nearly all, alternate, petiolate, entire, cut-toothed, trifid, or pedatisect. S. indicum, the only species in cultivation, is extensively grown in tropical countries for the oil contained in its seeds, which is sometimes called Gingelly Oil. For culture, see Martynia.
S. indicum (Indian). Gingelly or Gingillie Oil-plant; Sesame or Oily Grain, &c. fl., sepals 1/4in. long; corolla whitish, or with red, purplish, or yellow marks; pedicels solitary, rarely in twos or threes. July. fr. 1in. by 1/4in., erect, two, or ultimately four-valved. l. oblong or ovate, 3in. to 5in. long, variable; upper ones often narrowly oblong and nearly entire; middle ones ovate and toothed; lower ones lobed or pedatisect. h. 1ft. to 2ft. India, &c., 1731. See Fig. 479. (B. M. 1688; B. M. Pl. 198.) SYNS. S. luteum, S. orientale (B. H. ix. 27).
S. luteum (yellow). A synonym of S. indicum.
S. orientale (Eastern). A synonym of S. indicum.