Sesamum indicum

• Botanical Name : Sesamum indicum L.
• Common Name : Til, Tal, Sesame
• Plant Family : Pedaliaceae
• Plant Form : Herb
• Occurrence (Sectors) : 1, 2, 4, 10, 22
• Occurrence (Special Areas) : Gujarat Forestry Research Foundation, Indroda Park, Sarita Udyan

About Sesamum indicum Plant :

• Habit : A small, erect, branched herb.
• Leaves : Opposite or upper alternate, lanceolate, entire, lower often cut, lower surface puberculous.
• Inflorescence : Axillary solitary.
• Flowers :
  • Pinkish-purple, pedicellate, pedicels short with 2 extra-floral nectaries at the base.
  • Calyx deeply 5-partite.
  • Corolla bilabiate, personate, tubular, the lower of 3 segments, the middle lobe is the largest and marked with deep purple colour, hairy outside.
  • Stamens 4, didynamous.
  • Staminodes present.
  • Ovary 2-celled, style long, stigma 2-lipped.
• Fruit : Capsule 4-angled, hairy, valves opening half way down, gaping, seeds flat, black or white.
• Flowering and Fruiting Time : August - October
• Significance :
  • Commmonly cultivated everywhere for its seeds which yield a very valuable edible oil Sesame or gingelly.
  • Seeds are nourishing tonic, very useful in piles.