Black-eyed pea (Vigna unguiculata)

Black-eyed pea (Vigna unguiculata) is a plant species in the Fabaceae family. It is an annual or perennial herbaceous plant that may grow as a climber, a creeper, or in a more upright habit, possessing a taproot with numerous lateral and adventitious roots. Its stems can reach up to 4 meters in length and are angular or nearly cylindrical, with faint ridges.

The leaves are arranged alternately and consist of three leaflets. The stipules are ovate, 0.5–2 cm long, and spurred at the base. The main petiole can be up to 25 cm long, grooved on the upper side, and thickened at the base. The rachis is 0.5–6.5 cm long, with small stipels present.

The leaflets vary in shape—ovate, rhombic, or lanceolate—and measure 1.5–20 cm in length and 1–17 cm in width. The leaflets are asymmetrical at the base but symmetrical at the apex. The margins are entire (smooth), though sometimes lobed; the surfaces may be glabrous (hairless) or covered in fine hairs, with three primary veins originating from the base of the leaf blade.

The inflorescence is a false raceme, emerging from the leaf axils or at the ends of the stems, reaching up to 35 cm in length. The flowers are clustered near the tip, along a tuberculate (bumpy) rachis. The flowers are bisexual and papilionaceous (pea-like) in structure. Each flower has a 1–3 mm pedicel and a deciduous, spatula-shaped bracteole. The calyx is campanulate (bell-shaped), with a 5 mm long tube and narrow, triangular lobes that are also 5 mm long.

The corolla ranges in color from pink to purple, though it may sometimes be white or yellowish. The uppermost petal (standard) is broadly obovate and curved like a hood, measuring 2.5 cm in length; the lateral petals (wings) are obovate and 2 cm long; and the lowermost petals (keel) are boat-shaped and 2 cm long.

There are 10 stamens: 9 are fused together, while one remains free. The ovary is superior, 1.5 cm long, and laterally flattened. The style curves upward and bears fine hairs on its upper portion; the stigma is rounded and positioned obliquely.

The fruit is a cylindrical, elongated pod, 8–30 cm in length, either straight or slightly curved, and tipped with a short beak. Its surface may be glabrous (smooth) or finely hairy; it turns pale brown when mature and contains 8–30 seeds. The seeds are oblong to nearly spherical, often laterally flattened, 0.5–1 cm long, and may be black, brown, pink, or white. The hilum is oblong and covered by white tissue, with an aril that forms a dark-colored rim.

Germination is epigeal. The cotyledons are thick and oblong or crescent-shaped. The first two leaves are simple and opposite, while subsequent leaves are arranged alternately and are trifoliolate.

V. unguiculata grows in savanna vegetation, grasslands, coastal sandy areas, forests, forest margins, and marshy regions at elevations ranging from 0 to 2,500 meters. The species thrives at temperatures between 25°C and 35°C, with an annual rainfall of 600–1,500 mm (or 6–8 mm per day) and soil with a pH of 5.5–7.5. While the plant is sensitive to salinity, it exhibits greater tolerance to salt levels during later stages of growth.

Mature seeds are cooked and consumed directly or combined with vegetables, spices, and often palm oil to create a thick bean soup, which is served as an accompaniment to staple foods. The seeds can also be ground into flour, mixed with sliced onions and spices, and processed into fried or steamed cakes, crackers, composite flours, or baby food. The leaves and immature pods are consumed as vegetables.

This plant is used as forage for grazing livestock or harvested and mixed with dry cereals to serve as animal feed. It is also cultivated as a green manure and ground cover crop. Fibers extracted from the peduncles (flower stalks) are strong and can be used to manufacture fishing gear or to produce high-quality paper. The dried seeds serve as a coffee substitute.

The leaves and seeds are used in compresses to treat swelling and skin infections. Chewing the leaves helps alleviate dental problems. Powdered seeds, when burned, can be applied to insect stings. The roots are used as an antidote for snakebites and as a remedy for epilepsy, chest pain, constipation, dysmenorrhea, and various other types of pain.

Leafy stem shoots (per 100 g) contain 89.8 g of water, 121 kJ (29 kcal) of energy, 4.1 g of protein, 0.3 g of fat, 4.8 g of carbohydrates, 63 mg of calcium, 43 mg of magnesium, 9 mg of phosphorus, 1.9 mg of iron, 0.3 mg of zinc, 712 IU of vitamin A, 0.35 mg of thiamine, 0.2 mg of riboflavin, 1.1 mg of niacin, 101 μg of folate, and 36 mg of ascorbic acid. Young pods with seeds (per 100 g) contain: 86.0 g water, 184 kJ (44 kcal) energy, 3.3 g protein, 0.3 g fat, 9.5 g carbohydrates, 65 mg Ca, 58 mg Mg, 65 mg P, 1.0 mg Fe, 0.3 mg Zn, 1600 IU vitamin A, 0.15 mg thiamin, 0.15 mg riboflavin, 1.2 mg niacin, 53 μg folate, and 33 mg ascorbic acid. Pods (per 100 g) contain: 87.9 g water, 197 kJ (47 kcal) energy, 2.8 g protein, 0.4 g fat, 8.4 g carbohydrates, 50 mg Ca, 44 mg Mg, 59 mg P, 0.5 mg Fe, 0.4 mg Zn, 865 IU vitamin A, 0.1 mg thiamin, 0.1 mg riboflavin, 0.4 mg niacin, 62 μg folate, and 19 mg ascorbic acid.

Raw seeds (per 100 g) contain: 77.2 g water, 377 kJ (90 kcal) energy, 3.0 g protein, 0.4 g fat, 18.9 g carbohydrates, 5.0 g fiber, 126 mg Ca, 51 mg Mg, 53 mg P, 1.1 mg Fe, 1.0 mg Zn, 0 IU vitamin A, 0.1 mg thiamin, 0.15 mg riboflavin, 1.45 mg niacin, 168 μg folate, and 2.5 mg ascorbic acid. Mature seeds (per 100 g) contain 12.0 g of water, 1407 kJ (336 kcal) of energy, 23.5 g of protein, 1.3 g of fat, 60.0 g of carbohydrates, 10.6 g of fiber, 110 mg of Ca, 184 mg of Mg, 424 mg of P, 8.3 mg of Fe, 3.4 mg of Zn, 50 IU of vitamin A, 0.85 mg of thiamin, 0.23 mg of riboflavin, 2.1 mg of niacin, 0.36 mg of vitamin B6, 633 μg of folate, and 1.5 mg of ascorbic acid.

Essential amino acids (per 100 g of seeds) include 290 mg of tryptophan, 1591 mg of lysine, 335 mg of methionine, 1373 mg of phenylalanine, 895 mg of threonine, 1121 mg of valine, 1802 mg of leucine, and 956 mg of isoleucine. The primary fatty acids (per 100 g) are linoleic acid (343 mg), palmitic acid (254 mg), linolenic acid (199 mg), and oleic acid (88 mg) (USDA, 2004). The fatty acid composition of the seed fat consists of 25% saturated fatty acids, 8% monounsaturated fatty acids, and 42% polyunsaturated fatty acids. Cowpea protein is relatively rich in lysine but low in sulfur-containing (S) amino acids.

TAXON

Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Tracheophyta
Subphylum Angiospermae
Class Magnoliopsida
Order Fabales
Family Fabaceae
Subfamily Faboideae
Tribe Phaseoleae
Subtribe Phaseolinae
Genus Vigna Savi in Nuovo Giorn. Lett., ser. 3, 8: 113 (1824)
Species: Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. in Repert. Bot. Syst. 1: 779 (1843)
Subspecies:
V. u subsp. aduensis Pasquet,
V. u subsp. alba (G.Don) Pasquet,
V. u subsp. baoulensis (A.Chev.) Pasquet
V. u subsp. burundiensis Pasquet
V. u subsp. dekindtiana (Harms) Verdc.
V. u subsp. letouzeyi Pasquet
V. u subsp. mensensis (Schweinf.) Verdc.
V. u subsp. pawekiae Pasquet
V. u subsp. pubescens (R.Wilczek) Pasquet
V. u subsp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdc.
V. u subsp. stenophylla (Harv.) Maréchal, Mascherpa & Stainier
V. u subsp. tenuis (E.Mey.) Maréchal, Mascherpa & Stainier
V. u subsp. unguiculata

HOMOTYPIC SYNONYMS

Dolichos unguiculatus L. in Sp. Pl.: 725 (1753)
Phaseolus unguiculatus (L.) Piper in Torreya 12: 190 (1912)
Vigna unguiculata subvar. typica Bertoni in Anales Ci. Parag. 9: 18 (1911

PUBLICATIONS

Acevedo-Rodríguez, P. & Strong, M.T. (2012). Catalogue of seed plants of the West Indies. Smithsonian Contributions to Botany 98: 1-1192.

Akoègninou, A., van der Burg, W.J. & van der Maesen, L.J.G. (eds.) (2006). Flore Analytique du Bénin: 1-1034. Backhuys Publishers.

Aké Assi, L. (2001). Flore de la Côte-d'Ivoire: catalogue systématique, biogéographie et écologie. I. Boissiera 57: 1-396.

Ananda Rao, T. & Ellis, J.L. (1995). Flora of Lakshadweep islands off the Malabar coast, peninsular India, with emphasis on phytogeographical distribution of plants. Journal of Economic and Taxonomic Botany 19: 235-250.

Balkrishna, A. (2018). Flora of Morni Hills (Research & Possibilities): 1-581. Divya Yoga Mandir Trust.

Balslev, H. & Chantaranothai, P. (2023). Flora of Thailand 4(3.3.): 489-715. The Forest Herbarium, Royal Forest Department.

Boggan, J. Funck, V. & Kelloff, C. (1997). Checklist of the Plants of the Guianas (Guyana, Surinam, Franch Guiana) ed. 2: 1-238. University of Guyana, Georgetown.

Boudet, G., Lebrun, J.P. & Demange, R. (1986). Catalogue des plantes vasculaires du Mali: 1-465. Etudes d'Elevage et de Médecine Vétérinaire des Pays Tropicaux.

Boulvert, Y. (1977). Catalogue de la Flore de Centrafrique 2(1): 1-85. ORSTROM, Bangui.

Brunel, J.F., Hiepo, P. & Scholz, H. (eds.) (1984). Flore Analytique du Togo Phanérogames: 1-751. GTZ, Eschborn.

Catarino, L., Martins, E.S., Diniz, M.A. & Pinto-Basto, M.F. (2006). Check-list da flora vascular do parque natural das Lagos de Cufada (Guiné-Bissau). Garcia de Orta, Série de Botânica 17: 97-141.

Catarino, L., Sampaio Martins, E., Pinto-Basto, M.F. & Diniz, M.A. (2006). Plantas Vasculares e Briófitos da Guiné-Bissau: 1-298. Instituto de investigação científica tropical, Instituto Português de apoio ao desenvolvimento.

Chang, C.S., Kim, H. & Chang, K.S. (2014). Provisional checklist of vascular plants for the Korea peninsula flora (KPF): 1-660. DESIGNPOST.

Coi, B.H. in Lee, Yong No (2024). Flora of Korea 5a-3: 1-97. Kyo-Hak Publ. Co., Ltd.

Darbyshire, I., Kordofani, M., Farag, I., Candiga, R. & Pickering, H. (eds.) (2015). The Plants of Sudan and South Sudan: 1-400. Kew publishing, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Du Puy, D.J., Labat, N.-N., Rabevohitra, R., Villiers, J.-F., Bosser, J. & Moat, J. (2002). The Leguminosae of Madagascar: 1-737. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Figueiredo, E. & Smith, G.F. (2008). Plants of Angola. Strelitzia 22: 1-279. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.

Fischer, E., Rembold, K., Althof, A. & Obholzer, J. (2010). Annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Kakamega forest, Western province, Kenya. Journal of East African Natural History 99: 129-226.

Forzza, R.C., Zappi, D. & Souza, V.C. (2016-continuously updated). Flora do Brasil 2020 em construção http://reflora.jbrj.gov.br/reflora/listaBrasil/ConsultaPublicaUC/ResultadoDaConsultaNovaConsulta.do.

Garcia-Mendoza, A.J. & Meave, J.A. (eds.) (2012). Diversidad florística de Oaxaca: de musgos a angiospermas (colecciones y listas de especies), ed. 2: 1-351. Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.

Germishuizen, G. & Meyer, N.L. (eds.) (2003). Plants of Southern Africa an annotated checklist. Strelitzia 14: 1-1231. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.

Gosline, G., Bidault, E., van der Burgt, X., Cahen, D., Challen, G., Condé, N., Couch, C., Couvreur, T.L.P., Dagallier, L.M.J., Darbyshire, I., Dawson, S., Doré, T.S., Goyder, D., Grall, A., Haba, P., Haba, P., Harris, D., Hind, D.J.N., Jongkind, & al. (2023). A Taxonomically-verified and Vouchered Checklist of the Vascular Plants of the Republic of Guinea. Nature, scientific data 10, Article number: 327: [1]-[12].

Hansen, A. & Sunding, P. (1993). Flora of Macaronesia. Checklist of vascular plants. 4. revised edition. Sommerfeltia 17: 1-295.

Idárraga-Piedrahita, A., Ortiz, R.D.C., Callejas Posada, R. & Merello, M. (eds.) (2011). Flora de Antioquia: Catálogo de las Plantas Vasculares 2: 1-939. Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín.

Isely, D. (1998). Native and Naturalized Leguminosae (Fabaceae) of the United States: 1-1007. Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum. Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.

Jones, M. (1991). A checklist of Gambian plants: 1-33. Michael Jones, The Gambia College.

Jørgensen, P.M. & León-Yánes, S. (eds.) (1999). Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Ecuador: 1-1181. Missouri Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis.

Knapp, W.M. & Naczi, R.F.C. (2021). Vascular plants of Maryland, USA. A comprehensive account of the state's botanical diversity. Smithsonian Contributions to Botany 113: 1-151.

Kral, R., Diamond, A.R., Ginzbarg, S.L., Hansen, C.J., Haynes, R.R., Keener, B.R., Lelong, M.G., Spaulding, D.D. & Woods, M. (2011). Annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Alabama: 1-112. Botanical reseach institute of Texas.

Kumar, S. & Sane, P.V. (2003). Legumes of South Asia. A Checklist: 1-536. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Lebrun, J.-P., Audru, J., Gaston, A. & Mosnier, M. (1972). Catalogue des Plantes Vasculaires du Tchad Méridional: 1-289. Institut d' Elevage et de Médecine Vétérinaire des Pays Tropicaux, Maisons Alfort.

Lebrun, J.P., Toutain, B., Gaston, A. & Boudet, G. (1991). Catalogue des Plantes Vasculaires du Burkina Faso: 1-341. Institut d' Elevage et de Médecine Vétérinaire des Pays Tropicaux, Maisons Alfort.

Lejoy, J., Ndjele, M.-B. & Geerinck, D. (2010). Catalogue-flore des plantes vasculaires des districts de Kisangani et de la Tshopo (RD Congo). Taxonomania 30: 1-307.

Lepschi, B. & Monro, A. (Project Coordinators) (2014). Australian Plant Census (APC) Council of Heads of Australian Herbaria. http://www.anbg.gov.au/chah/apc/index.html.

Lock, J.M. & Ford, C.S. (2004). Legumes of Malesia a Check-List: 1-295. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Lock, J.M. & Heald, J. (1994). Legumes of Indo-China a check-list: 1-164. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Lock, J.M. (1989). Legumes of Africa a check-List: 1-619. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

MacKee, H.S. (1994). Catalogue des plantes introduites et cultivées en Nouvelle-Calédonie, ed. 2: 1-164. Museum national d'histoire naturelle, Paris.

Mohlenbrock, R.H. (2014). Vascular Flora of Illinois. A Field Guide, ed. 4: 1-536. Southern Illinois University Press, Carbondale.

Nelson Sutherland, C.H. (2008). Catálogo de las plantes vasculares de Honduras. Espermatofitas: 1-1576. SERNA/Guaymuras, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Plunkett, G.M., Ranker, T.A., Sam, C. & Balick, M.J. (2022). Towards a checklist of the vascular flora of Vanuatu. Candollea 77: 105-118.

Sita, P. & Moutsambote, J.-M. (2005). Catalogue des plantes vasculaires du Congo, ed. sept. 2005: 1-158. ORSTOM, Centre de Brazzaville.

Smith, A.C. (1985). Flora Vitiensis Nova. A new flora for Fiji (Spermatophytes only) 3: 1-758. Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden, Lawai.

Standley, P.C. & Steyermark, J.A. (1946). Flora of Guatemala. Fieldiana Botany New Series 24(5): 1-502. Field Museum of Natural History.

Townsend, C.C. (1974). Flora of Iraq 3: 1-662. Ministry of Agriculture & Agrarian Reform, Baghdad.

Tutin, T.G. & al. (eds.) (1968). Flora Europaea 2: 1-469. Cambridge University Press.

Velayos, M., Barberá, P., Cabezas, F.J., de la Estrella, M., Fero, M. & Aedo, C. (2014). Checklist of the vascular plants of Annobón (Equatorial Guinea). Phytotaxa 171: 1-78.

Wood, J.R.I. (1997). A handbook of the Yemen Flora: 1-434. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Yakovlev, G.P., Sytin, A.K. & Roskov, Y.R. (1996). Legumes of Northern Eurasia. A checklist: 1-724. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Zhao, Y.Z., Zhao, L.Q. & Rui, C. (eds.) (2019). Flora Intramongolica, edition 3, 3: 1-513. Typis Intramongolicae popularis, Huhhot.

Zhu, X.Y., Zhang, R.P. & He, Y.L. (eds.) (2021). An inventory of legume species diversity of Myanmar: 1-297. China Minzu university press.

de la Estrella, M., Cabezas, F.J., Aedo, C. & Velayos, M. (2010). The Papilionoideae (Leguminosae) of Equatorial Guinea (Annobón, Bioko and Río Muni). Folia Geobotanica 45: 1-57.

VERNACULAR NAME

Afrikaans: akkerboon, boontjie, dopboontjie, kaffer boontjie, koertjie, swartbekboon
Angola: omakunde, olunya, omandume, ongoli
Arabic: دجر - لوبياء - لوبياء ظفرية
Bengali: ঘাগরা - বরবটি কোলাই Ghangra, Barboti kolai
Benin: ayiman, yiviman, atchakobo, guisei, blaa, ayiman
Bisayan: batong, otong, kibal
Botswana: dinawa, nyeru, dinawa, morogo wa dinawa
Bunun: bainulaitaz
Burkina Faso: titukpindi, toutoufari
Cameroon: kon, kondi
Chinese (simplified): 豇豆
Chinese (traditional): 豇豆
Czech: Vigna čínská
Dutch: Vignaboon
English: Black-eyed pea, Cowpea, Cuckold's-increase, Southern pea, Twin flower, Black eyed pea, Black-eye bean, China pea, Marble pea
Ethiopia: Eadanguari, adenguare, nori
Finnish: Lehmänpapu
French: Niébé
German: Augenbohne, Kuhbohne
Ghana: adua, ayi, too, tipielega, yo, tuya, saau
Gijarati: Chola, Chowla
Hindi: लोबिया - बोरा - बोरा - चावली - कुराठी - कुराठी - लोबिया - लोबिया
Lobiya, Bora, Bura, Chawli, Kulathi, Kurathi, Lobia, Lobhia
Indonesia: Kacang tunggak, Kacang panjang
Italian: Dolico dall'occhio nero, Fagiolo con l'occhio, Fagiolo dall'occhio
Japanese: ササゲ - 大角豆
Java: Kacang tolo
Kannada: Alasabde, Alasundi, Alasande
Kenya: Thoroko, Tsafe
Korean: 동부
Lesotho: dinawa, monawa, linaoa
Malayalam: Payar, Vellapayar
Malaysia: Kachang bol
Mali: soso
Manipuri: Hawai asangbi, Pong hawai
Marathi: Alasunda, Chavali, Chavli
Marocco: fûl gnâwa
Mizo: Be-hlawi
Mozambique: khobwe
Namibia: omakunde, olunya, omandume, ongoli
Nepali: बुडी Boodee
Niger: ayiman
Nigeria: akedi, ako, alev, arebe, azzo, dijok, ewa, ezo, lubia, mongo, nyebbe, ngalo, ti, wake, suiwurusu
Oriya: bargada, chani, jhudunga
Oshikwanyama: Omafo omakunde, Omakunde
Oshindonga: Omafo omakunde
Polish: Wspięga wężowata
Punjabi: Raung
Russian: Вигна початковая
Sanskrit: Mahamasah, Rajamasah
Senegal: niao, seub
Sinhala: කව්පි
Slovak: Vigna nechtíkatá
Spanish: Limoncillo
Sudan: luba hilu
Tagalog: Sitaw, Sitaw-turo, Paayap
Tamil: காட்டு உளுந்து - கரமணி Kaattu ulundu, Karamani
Tanzania: Nkunde
Telugu: Alasandalu, Kaaraamanulu, Bobbarlu
Thai: ถั่วพุ่ม ถั่วฝักยาว และอื่น ๆ
Togo: kedesche, sona, kadje, tombing, isanje
Tulu: Lathanae, Lattane
Turkish: Börülce
Uganda: boo, enkoole, ngor, amuli, obo, likote, laputu, nyele, maruet, eggobe, mpindi, bojo, kiyindiru, enkoole omugobe, omugobe, lmere, eboo
Urdu: کلتھی Kulthi
West Africa: ewa, wake
Zambia: khobwe
Zimbabwe: nyemba
Zulu: imbumba, indumba, isihlumaya

Aryo Bandoro
Dlium TheDlium
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dlium