Sesamum radiatum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Sesamum radiatum | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Benniseed flowers | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Pedaliaceae |
| Genus: | Sesamum |
| Species: | S. radiatum |
| Binomial name | |
| Sesamum radiatum | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
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,[2] black sesame,[3] and vegetable sesame.[citation needed] (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.[2]
Use
Culinary
The seeds are eaten whole, made into a paste, ground into a powder, or pressed for a high-quality oil.[2] The leaves can be eaten fresh or cooked and are used in Sub-Saharan Africa as a leaf vegetable.[2] The leaves are mucilaginous in texture when cooked. The shoots can also be eaten and are used in soups and porridge.[7]
Medicinally
The leaves are also used medicinally as a laxative, an antidote to scorpion venom[3] and to treat sprains and ease childbirth.[3] The stem and bark have also been noted for their anti-bacterial properties.[citation needed]