Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.- Cowpea

-









Taxonomic Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliphyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Asteridae
Order: Solanales
Family: Leguminosae
Genus: Vigna
Species: V.unguiculata

V.unguiculata is an erect, prostrate or climbing annual herb. It has a tap root with numerous laterals with large, globular root nodules.


Morphological characters

Stem: Stems are quite variable in morphology. There may be plants with erect or sub-erect, procumbent or twining stems, may be tinged purple.

Leaves: Leaves are trifoliate and the petiole is stout and grooved. Stipels are inconspicuous. Leaflets are usually entire, but sometimes slightly lobed. The lateral leaflets are oblique.

Flowers: inflorescences are axillary with a few flowers crowded near tip in alternate pairs in thickened nodes. Usually 2-4 flowers present in a single inflorescence. Peduncles are stout, grooved and usually exceeding the length of the leaf. A cushion-like nectary is located between each pair of flowers. Pedicel of the flower is very short. Calyx is campanulate with triangular teeth of which the upper two are connate and longer than the rest. Corolla is dirty white, yellow or violet and the keel is truncate. The stamens are diadelphous. Style is bent, bearded on inner curve with an oblique stigma.

Fruit: pods are variable in shape; linear or semi-terete, with 8-20 seeds. Seeds are also variable in size, shape and colour.


V. sesquipedalis-yard long bean

V. sesquipedalis is a climbing annual of 2-4m in height. The fruits are 30-100cm long and pendent. Pods are more or less inflated and flabby when young.
 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sri Lanka Python (Python Molurus Pimbura)

-
Image
Sinhalese: Dhara Pimbura, Ran Pimbura, Pimbura Tamil: Periya Pambu, Malai Pambu, Kaloodai Viriyan. Description: A huge snake which can grow to 8 meters, but usually average about 5.5 meters. Pythons have teeth, a very sensitive tongue, and jaws which can separate to enable them to swallow large prey. Distribution: Found in the jungles of the low country; occasionally in the lower hills hills and often near water. Habits: The python is diurnal, nocturnal and solitary. They swim well, can climb trees and are not venomous. Their food consists of small to medium sized animals which they catch using their teeth, kill by constriction and swallow whole once once the prey is dead. If the meal is substantial the python does not need to feed again for 4 or more months. They have good sight over short distances, are deaf, but can feel vibrations through the ground. Their extremely sensitive tongues can sense loud noises and convey smells to the scent organ in the roof of t
Read more

Sri Lanka Small Civet-Cat (Viverricula Indica Mayori)

-
Image
Sinhalese:  Urulava Tamil: Poolu poona, Veeregu Description: The civet-cat is easily identified by its black and white ringed tail and dark spotted grey body. The adult male, which is slightly larger than the female, has an overall length of about 84 cms. Distribution: found in jungles and scrub throughout the island except in the highest hills. Habits: The civet-cat is mainly nocturnal but not entirely so, usually spending the day living up in some patch of undergrowth. Its food consists of birds, small animals, insects, frogs etc, and also some roots and fruits. Breeding: The birth takes place in a cavity at the end of a short tunnel which is often dug in a bank, or under some large rocks or tree. 3 to 5 young are born.
Read more

Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper – Black gram Syn. Phaseolus mungo L.

-
Image
Taxonomic classification           Kingdom: Plantae             Division: Magnoliophyta             Class: Magnoliopsida             Subclass: Asteridae             Order: Solanales             Family: Leguminosae             Genus: Vigna             Species: V.mungo V.mungo is one of the most highly-priced pulses of India, especially in the vegetarian diet. It is a diffusely branched, herbaceous annual with reddish brown hairs.     Various cultivars are recognized 1. Early-maturing cultivars, which have larger, black seeds 2. Late-maturing cultivars, which have smaller, olive-green seeds   Morphological characters     Stem: This is a diffusely branched, erect or sub-erect plant. The height ranges from 20-80cm. Leaves: The leaf is trifoliate with a long petiole. The stipules are ovate.   Flowers: The inflorescence is borne axillary and may have 2-3 branches. Five to six flowers are clustered at the top of the short hairy peduncle. The
Read more