Sesamum trilobum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Volkameria lamiifolia
• Ceratotheca lamiifolia
• Ceratotheca kraussiana
• Ceratotheca triloba
• Sporledera kraussiana
• Sporledera triloba
• Sesamum lamiifolium

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales, falling into the family Pedaliaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Sesamum as the species Sesamum trilobuim.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several regions within the southern portion of the African continent. In South Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in both Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Moving into Southern Africa, its range extends into the territory of Botswana. The species is also prevalent throughout the Cape Provinces. Furthermore, its geographical footprint includes the KwaZulu-Natal region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Sesamum trilobum is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, allowing it to occupy diverse topographical niches within its habitat. This species demonstrates significant ecological plasticity, thriving across a wide vertical gradient that begins at low-lying areas as low as 15 m AMSL and extends up to an elevation of 1550 m AMSL. This extensive elevational range suggests an ability to adapt to varying temperature regimes, atmospheric pressures, and moisture availability found between subtropical lowlands and mid-elevation montane environments.

Elevational range max:

1550 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

15 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Sesamum trilobum is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental progression—from germination and vegetative growth to flowering and seed production—within a single growing season. Following seed germination, the plant undergoes a period of rapid vegetative development, establishing its structural framework before transitioning into its reproductive phase. During this cycle, it produces flowers that facilitate pollination, ultimately leading to the maturation of seeds which serve as the primary mechanism for survival and dispersal. Once the seeds have reached maturity and are released into the environment, the individual plant reaches the end of its biological existence, leaving the next generation to emerge from the seed bank in subsequent seasons.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Sesamum trilobum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, functioning as a self-supporting plant that does not require climbing structures. It is a terrestrial species, existing as an independent organism without parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a mean height of 2 m, though it can achieve a maximum height of up to 2.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2.5 m

Plant height mean:

2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Sesamum trilobum is characterized by metabolic processes typical of the Pedaliaceae family, focusing on efficient nutrient acquisition and resource allocation for seed development. Regarding its interaction with soil nutrients, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, as it lacks the symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms. Consequently, its physiological growth and nitrogen assimilation are heavily dependent on the availability of nitrates and ammonium within the soil substrate. The plant manages its nitrogen economy through root uptake and subsequent integration into amino acids and proteins, which are essential for its structural development and the production of nutrient-dense oilseeds. Its physiological framework supports the synthesis of secondary metabolites and lipids, driven by photosynthetic energy conversion, to ensure successful reproductive cycles and seed maturation.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Sesamum trilobum is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying heavily on animal vectors to ensure successful fertilization. Specifically, the plant utilizes insect-mediated pollination, with bees playing a significant role in the transfer of pollen between flowers. Following successful pollination, the plant produces small seeds with a highly specific mass range. The individual seed mass varies slightly, with a minimum recorded value of 0.00112 g and a maximum value of 0.00165 g, resulting in an average seed mass of approximately 0.001343333 g.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.00165 g

Seed mass mean:

0.001343333 g

Seed mass min:

0.00112 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Sesamum trilobum has 4 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antiplasmodial, Antiviral.

Antibacterial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antidiabetic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiplasmodial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiviral

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology