Vigna vexillata

Vigna vexillata 

Family: Fabaceae

Common names: wild cowpea, narrow-leaved wild sweetpea, wilde-akkerboontjie, wilde-ertjie.

It is a creeping or climbing herb, with perennial stems and a spindle-shaped root. The stipules and stipels are egg-shaped to linear and sparsely hairy. The leaflets are arranged in threes (tri-pinnate); the leaflet stalk (rhachis) is up to 17 mm long with hairs similar to those on stems; the petiole is up to 82 mm long; the leaflets are either narrowly or broadly egg-shaped, diamond-shaped or linear, with a wedge-shaped or rounded base and a pointed or slightly blunt tip, up to 120 mm long and 46 mm wide, and with short, stiff, or soft appressed hairs. This species is generally used as a fodder for animals and food for humans. Vigna vexillata var. vexillata is cultivated mainly as a root crop in many parts of the world, particularly in Asia (Bali, East Timor, India, and Indonesia) and Africa. The most useful trait for feeding on the species is due to the high protein (15%) content in the plant tubers, making it highly nutritious. It is fast-growing and can therefore quickly populate the soil and provide the necessary nutrients through Nitrogen fixation in the roots. The flowering stage occurs within three to four months followed by the subsequent ripening of the seeds, which takes approximately one month post flowering. By the time the fruits ripen, the roots are also ready for harvesting. In Africa, V. vexillata is cultivated mainly for its nutritious seeds although the roots are also consumed.

Sowing instructions: Sow seeds in summer in a well drained medium.

Locality: Ex Hort. Harvest: September 2024