The expression "open sesame" made famous in the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, one of the tales from the Arabian Nights, is probably based on the sesame seed capsule. Some authorities have suggested that this expression was adopted by the author of the stories because the capsules burst open at maturity with the slightest touch. Other interpretations suggest that it comes from the popping sound of the mature pod as it opens, like the sudden pop of a lock springing open. Because of the shattering characteristic, sesame has been grown primarily on small plots that are harvested by hand. The discovery of an indehiscent (nonshattering) mutant by Langham in 1943 resulted in the development of a high yielding, shatter-resistant variety that retained its seeds during harvesting. Langham also discovered that indehiscent trait in sesame was controlled by one pair of recessive alleles. Apparently the title of "Sesame Street" is derived from the phrase "open sesame," presumably to inject curiosity and excitement into the title of this popular TV program for children.
According to Oplinger et al. (1990), the flowers of sesame are typically self pollinated, although they may be cross pollinated by insects. No insect pollinators were observed on the plants grown at Wayne's Word. The growth of sesame is indeterminant: the plant continues to produce leaves, flowers and seed capsules throughout the warm summer months and into the fall.