beniseed
Sesamum indicum L.
Sesamum indicum L., a species in the genus Sesamum of the family Pedaliaceae, is known by the common name beniseed. It is native to Africa and India and has been naturalized in tropical regions globally. The plant is cultivated for its edible seeds, which are grown in pods. In 2024, global production reached 6.7 million tonnes, with India, Myanmar, and Sudan as the top producers.
Description
Sesamum indicum L. (1753) is a species within the genus Sesamum, part of the Pedaliaceae family. It is conserved against Sesamum orientale L. (1753). The plant is commonly known as beniseed and is cultivated for its seeds, which are used as food. It is widely naturalized in tropical regions and is native to Africa and India. The species is distributed across several countries, including Turkey, Cyprus, Greece, and parts of Western Europe. The seeds grow in pods and are a significant agricultural commodity, with global production reaching 6.7 million tonnes in 2024.
Other common names
sesamebeniseedbenneseedbenniseed
Distribution
TW · ZA · HR · YE · Belgium · Flemish Region · France · The Netherlands · Great Britain · CY · IT · TD · SZ · BF · GR · FM · SG · Cyprus · Greece · Turkey (in Europe) · SE · IN · MY · MG · DJ · AU · NA · CO · DK · BR
Synonyms
Volkameria sesamodesVolkameria orientalisStrobilanthes gentilianaSesamum luteumSesamum malabaricumSesamum tavakariiSesamum trifoliatumSesamum mulayanumSesamum orientaleSesamum foetidumSesamum brasilienseSesamum auriculatumSesamum eduleAnthadenia sesamoidesSesamum africanumSesamum occidentaleSesamum oleiferumSesamum somalenseSesamum hopkinsiiSesamum indicum subsp. malabaricumVolkameria orientalis var. indicaSesamum indicum var. grandidentatumSesamum indicum var. subdentatumSesamum indicum var. subindivisumSesamum indicum var. integerrimum