Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.- Cowpea

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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.
 

 

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