ງາຫຼໍ່ ( Benniseed, benneseed, Sesame)

Sesamum occidentale Heer & Regel
Sesamum oleiferum Sm.
Strobilanthes gentiliana H.Lév.

Pedaliaceae

ງາຂາວ/ Nga khao

This erect annual herb ranges from 10 to 120 cm in height and features a simple or branched, obtusely quadrangular stem that is finely pubescent to glabrescent and possesses some glandular characteristics. The leaves exhibit significant variability in shape, typically being heteromorphic and arranged either opposite or alternate. The inferior leaves are long-petiolate (petiole 3-11 cm long) and can be lanceolate, ovate, 3-lobed, 3-partite, or 3-foliate, measuring 4-20 x 2-10 cm. They have a cuneate or obtuse base, an acute apex, and often serrate margins. In contrast, the superior leaves are more shortly petiolate (petiole 3-5 cm long), narrowed, and oblong-lanceolate to linear lanceolate, usually 0.5-2.5 cm wide, with entire margins and a narrowly cuneate base. All leaves are thinly pubescent and exhibit varying degrees of glandularity.
The flowers, which are white, pink, or mauve-pink with darker markings, feature a persistent calyx and a corolla measuring 1.5-3.3 cm in length. The capsules are narrowly oblong when viewed laterally, 4-sulcate, rounded at the base, and measure 1.5–3.0 x 0.6–0.7 cm. They possess a broad, short beak, and the capsule walls are often not smooth, displaying horizontal stripes reflecting the impressions of the seeds. The seeds are horizontally oriented, not winged, but possess an inconspicuous double fringe, with a smooth testa that may rarely appear slightly venose; they mature in shades of black, brown, or white. Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is one of the earliest human production and consumption.
Sources: [1], [2]

Native to Southern America, Africa and Asia. Source: [3]

North Laos Highlands
Northern Mekong Corridor
Annamite Highlands and Xieng Khuang Plateau
Vientiane Plain
Northern Annamites
Central Annamites
Lower Annamites
Southern Annamites
Southern Mekong Corridor

Upland fields with crops
Young bush fallow
Home gardens
Other farmland
Rice paddy

Native

Not invasive

Not applicable

None

Food
Medicine

Although sesame seeds are commonly used as ingredients in various food products, a significant portion is processed into oil and meal. The oil is particularly noteworthy due to its high antioxidant content and favorable fatty acid composition. Key antioxidants, such as sesamin, sesamol, and sesamolin, contribute to the oil's stability and prolonged shelf life. Oleic acid (C18:1) and linoleic ac-id (C18:2) account for over 80% of the total fatty acids, enhancing the oil's quality for human consumption. Moreover, these polyunsaturated fatty acids are believed to help lower blood cholesterol levels, reduce high blood pressure, and prevent conditions such as atherosclerosis, heart disease, and certain cancers. Additionally, Sesamum indicum L. seed flour boasts a high protein content and is rich in essential amino acids like methionine and tryptophan, containing about 10 to 12% oil, three times more calcium than milk, and notable levels of vitamins, magnesium, and phosphorus. Source: [4]

Both

January
February
November
December

N/A

N/A

N/A

Nutrient	/100g	Remark
Proteins	N/A	N/A
Carbohydrates	N/A	N/A
Fats	N/A	N/A
Vitamins	N/A	N/A
Minerals	N/A	N/A
Fibers	N/A	N/A

Seed. [1] iNaturalist [Online]. Uploaded on 24 July 2024 by yuriy6863, Available: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/231255988. [Accessed: 12 October 2024]
Fruits and leaves. [2] iNaturalist [Online]. Uploaded in 29 July 2020 by Franpfer. Available: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54736370. [Accessed: 14 October 2024]
Flowers. [3] Plants of the world Online [Online]. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Available: https://powo.scence.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:675971-1. [Accessed: 14 October 14, 2024]

[1] World Flora online [Online]. Available: https://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0000497088. [Ac-cessed: 14 October 2024]
[2] P. P. Wei, F. L. Zhao, Zh. Wang, Q. B. Wang, X. Y. chai, Gu. Hou and Q. G. Meng, “Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.): A Comprehensive Review of Nutritional Value, Phytochemical Composition, Health Bene-fits, Development of Food, and Industrial Applications,” Nutients, 2022.
[3] Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), “Sesamum indicum L.,” [Online]. Available: https://www.gbif.org/species/3172622. [Accessed: 14 October 2024]
[4] M. Ch. Y. Weldemichael H. M. Juhar, “Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.): Existing Status, Features, Significance and new Approaches for Improve-ment in the Case of Ethiopia: A Review, “World Journal of Biology and Medical Sciences, “Volume 5, Issue-2, 1-14, April-June, 2018. Available: https://feji.us/n453lj. [Accessed; 14 October 14, 2024]