Wild simsim
Sesamum calycinum subsp. angustifolium

Family: Pedaliaceae

What it is like

A herb. It may or may not be branched. It grows 75-200 cm tall. The leaves are narrow and alternate or opposite. They are 2-12 cm long by 0.1-4 cm wide. The lower leaves can have irregular teeth. The flowers are dull red. They are a slightly bell shaped. They are 2.5 cm long. The fruit is a capsule 2.5 cm long. It has a beak.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in waste places and is a weed of cultivated areas. It grows from sea level to 2,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, Burundi, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia,Nigeria, South Africa, Southern Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young shoots and leaves are cooked and eaten. They are slimy so are chopped and cooked with other leaves. They are also used to thicken sauces. The seeds are eaten in sauces and soups. They seeds produce an edible oil.

It is occasionally cultivated and sold in markets. It is locally appreciated. It has average palatability.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, seeds - oil, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds. A spacing of 20 cm is suitable.

Young shoots can be harvested 6 weeks after sowing. The shoots are too tough to use when flowering and fruiting start. The leaves are collected in the rainy season and the seeds in the dry season.

Its other names

Local names

Chewe, Derere resamwenda, Echama, Eku gogoro, Emelerait, Kafulu, Mfuta, Mlenda mwitu, Nyuom jong, Nyuomweng, Oboto, Onyulo, Othigu-zingili, Otigo-anino, Otigo nino, Sope

Synonyms

Sesamum angustifolium (Oliv.) Engl.; Sesamum calycinum Welw. var. angustifolium (Oliv.) Ihlenf. & Seidenst.; Sesamum indicum var. angustifolium Oiv.;