Sesamum radiatum

K. Schumach. et Thonn.

Black beniseed

Pedaliaceae Edible: Leaves, Seeds, Vegetable, Seeds - oil 117 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Sesamum radiatum is a species of flowering plant in the Pedaliaceae. It is in the same genus as sesame, and is known by the English common names benniseed, black benniseed, black sesame, and vegetable sesame. (While the regular sesame, Sesamum indicum, may have black seeds, also referred to as black sesame, and is a related plant, it is a separate species from Sesamum radiatum.) It is native to west and central Africa, has been cultivated since ancient times in Africa, and is sometimes also used in tropical Asia where it has become naturalized to a small extent.

Description

A hairy herb. It grows each year from seeds. It grows 1 m high. It has an unpleasant smell. The stems can be simple or branched. The leaves are opposite or alternate and simple. They are oval and 3-10 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. They are wedge shaped at the base and taper to the tip. The flowers occur singly in the axils of the leaves. The fruit is a 4 sided long capsule. It is 2-3,5 cm long. It is softly hairy. There are many seeds. The seeds are flattened and 2.5-3.5 mm long. The seed coat has lines going out from the centre.

Edible Uses

The seeds are eaten whole, made into a paste, ground into a powder, or pressed for a high-quality oil. The leaves can be eaten fresh or cooked and are used in Sub-Saharan Africa as a leaf vegetable. The leaves are mucilaginous in texture when cooked. The shoots can also be eaten and are used in soups and porridge.

Traditional Uses

The young leaves are finely cut, cooked and eaten with cereals or added to soups. Cooked leaves are slimy. The seeds are eaten. They are eaten toasted and whole or ground to a paste. The seeds yield an edible oil.

Medicinal Uses

The leaves are also used medicinally as a laxative, an antidote to scorpion venom and to treat sprains and ease childbirth. The stem and bark have also been noted for their anti-bacterial properties.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical Africa. It grows in open savannah in moist places.

Where It Grows

Africa, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South America, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, West Africa,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seeds. They can be sown directly or transplanted. Seeds germinate in 6-10 days. Seedlings are transplanted when 15 cm high. Second year plants can be pruned to encourage new growth.

Propagation

Seed - it can be sown into seedbeds, in seed boxes or directly into the place where it is to grow, placing 2 - 3 seeds per hole. Germination takes 6 - 10 days. Seedlings are transplanted at a spacing of approximately 15cm.

Other Uses

A leaf infusion is used as a shampoo and to kill head lice.

Production

First leaves can be harvested 8-10 weeks after sowing. They are then harvested every 7-10 days. Flowering and fruiting can continue while plants keep growing. Fruits mature in 6 weeks.

Other Information

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. The leaves are popular. It is mainly used locally. It produces fresh leaves during the dry season. It has average palatability.

Synonyms

Sesamum occidentale Regel & Heer

Also Known As

Agbo, Black sesame, Dosse, Dossi, Ekuku, Ewe atura, Gogoro, Lalo-caminho, Nonman, Tcabelaba, Tchaba-laba, Tissedoonte, Tiwadouanti, Toohoun, Touhoonom, Touhounom, Touwadouanti, Vegetable sesame, Wandu wandu, Wanguila, Zinzam

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