A tropical herbaceous annual that grows 1 -2 m (2 - 6 ft) tall. The plant has an unpleasant odour. The leaves vary from ovate to Lancelot and are hairy on both sides. The flowers are purple to whitish, resembling foxglove, followed by 3 cm (1.25 in) capsules containing numerous seeds. The simplest and now commonest use of sesame is as whole seeds sprinkled over cakes and breads, like poppy seeds It is a flavouring for hummus, a sauce for kebabs and is often mixed with lemon and garlic to make a bread dip.