SafePlants

Ceratotheca triloba and Ceratotheca sesamoides: African Foxgloves and False Sesame

This page explores two intriguing members of the Ceratotheca genus: Ceratotheca triloba (South African Foxglove or African Foxglove) and Ceratotheca sesamoides (False Sesame). These plants, native to Africa, have captured the interest of gardeners and researchers alike.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Genus: Ceratotheca
• Family: Pedaliaceae
• Ceratotheca triloba:
  • Accepted Scientific Name: Ceratotheca triloba (Bernh.) E. Mey. ex Hook. f.
  • Synonyms: Ceratotheca lamiifolia (Engl.) Engl., Sesamum lamiifolium Engl., Sporledera kraussiana Bernh., Sporledera triloba Bernh.
  • Common Names: South African Foxglove, African Foxglove, Inkumzanienkulu, Inkunzane Enkulu, Ludvonca, Rhodesian Foxglove
• Ceratotheca sesamoides:
  • Accepted Scientific Name: Ceratotheca sesamoides Endl.
  • Common Name: False Sesame
• Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN) for Ceratotheca triloba: 34429

Distribution and Habitat

• Ceratotheca sesamoides is indigenous to Africa and grows wild in most countries south of the Sahara. It is also locally cultivated.
• Ceratotheca triloba is native to South Africa. It also occurs in Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, South Africa (Mpulamanga, KwaZulu-Natal), Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ghana, and Guinea.

Morphological Characteristics

• Ceratotheca sesamoides is an annual plant growing up to 1.2 meters tall, sometimes with a woody rootstock. Growth can be erect.
• Ceratotheca triloba is described as a tall annual with a very upright form. The entire plant, including leaves and flowers, is softly fuzzy. Lavender flowers with prominently veined lips are characteristic.
• Leaves are opposite or subopposite, petiolate with variable lamina shape, the largest often sagittate or 3-lobed.

Historical and Traditional Uses

• Ceratotheca sesamoides and Ceratotheca triloba have a history of use as leafy vegetables with medicinal properties in Africa.
• Ceratotheca sesamoides has been used as a substitute for Sesamum indicum (sesame).

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Chemical investigations have been conducted on the glandular trichome exudate from Ceratotheca triloba.
• Crude extracts from the leaves and roots of Ceratotheca triloba have exhibited potency against certain organisms.

Further Information

• The Plant List includes information on the Ceratotheca genus.
• The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (K) Herbarium holds collections of Ceratotheca sesamoides.
• The Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants may provide additional information, although its relevance to African species may be limited.