Sesamum alatum fruit

The nearly cylindrical fruit of Sesamum alatum is a quadrangular, ribbed capsule borne erectly next to the stem. Initially green, it dries to a beige-brown.

The fruit tapers abruptly to a beak-like tip that splits to release its winged seeds. The seeds are edible. Fruit dimensions are 2 cm to 4 cm long and 4 mm to 12 mm wide.

The upper fruits on the stem in picture are still green, the attenuated beak-like tip closed. The lower fruits are dry and have sprung open (Pooley, 1998; Onderstall, 1996; Germishuizen and Fabian, 1982; iNaturalist).