SESAMUM, in botany, a genus of the didynamia angiosperma class. The calix consists of five segments; the corolla is campanulated, with five segments; the stigma is lanceolated; and the capsule has four cells. There are two species, both natives of India.
The seeds of this plant, upon expression, yield a larger quantity of oil than almost any other known vegetable; among the Indians, they are used as food.