Adzuki Bean
Vigna angularis
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
Vigna angularis, commonly known as Adzuki Bean or Red Mung Bean, is an annual vine in East Asia and the Himalayas. It grows usually about 30-90 cm in height. The root system is a taproot that can reach a depth of 40-50 cm. The leaves are trifoliate, pinnate, and arranged alternately along the stem on a long petiole. The flowers are bright yellow papilionaceous arranged in a cluster of 6-10. The fruits are smooth, cylindrical, and thin-walled pods. Adzuki bean is commonly sweetened before eating. It is eaten sprouted or boiled. It is also used in many Chinese dishes and as a filling in Japanese sweets. Tender young pods are cooked as a vegetable. Roasted seeds are used as a substitute for coffee. Medicinally, the beans are used in the treatment of kidney diseases, constipation, abscesses, certain tumors, threatened miscarriage, retained placenta, and non-secretion of milk. Seed sprouts are used to treat threatened abortion caused by injury. A flour made from the beans is used in making shampoos and facial creams. V. angularis is also grown as a green manure and for soil erosion control.
Vigna angularis is a ANNUAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Bees. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Height (m): 0.8
Where it is found
Not known in the wild
E. Asia - probably originated in Japan or southern China, but long cultivated and no longer known in
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 4
Mature seed - cooked. The dried bean is boiled and used in a wide variety of dishes. The beans can also be popped in much the same way as popcorn. The dried seeds can be ground into a meal and used in soups, cakes or confections. The seeds are often sprouted and then eaten either raw or cooked. The cylindrical pods can be 6 - 12cm long, containing 6 - 14 seeds. Tender young pods are cooked as a vegetable. The seedpods are up to 10cm long. The roasted seed has been used as a coffee substitute.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Seedpod: things such as Okra, French and Runner beans.
Coffee: the various substitutes that can be used instead of coffee.
Medicine
Rating: 2
The beans are used to treat diseases like kidney trouble, constipation, abscesses, certain tumours, threatened miscarriage, retained placenta and non-secretion of milk. The seed sprouts are used to treat threatened abortion caused by injury. The leaves are said to lower fevers.
Antitumor: Preventing, or effective against, tumors, it is used in the treatment of cancer. Probably synonymous with Cytotoxic.
Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.
Kidney: Used in the treatment of kidney diseases
Laxative: Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.
Other
Rating: 2
Agroforestry Uses: The plant can be grown as a green manure and to prevent soil erosion. Other Uses A flour made from the beans is used in making shampoos and facial creams.
Cosmetic: Used to improve the physical appearence of a person.
Green manure: Fast-growing plants that can be used to increase the fertility of the soil.
Hair: Plants used as hair shampoos, tonics, to treat balding etc.
Soil stabilization: Plants that can be grown in places such as sand dunes in order to prevent erosion by wind, water or other agents.
Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.
Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil
How it is grown
Adzuki bean is a plant of the subtropics, and is widely cultivated from the temperate zone to higher elevations in the tropics, where it is can be grown at elevations from 420 - 1,500 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 15 - 30°c, but can tolerate 5 - 36°c. The plant cannot tolerate frost. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 900 - 1,300mm, but tolerates 530 - 1,800mm. It is generally seen as a short-day plant, requiring a day length of 12 hours or less to initiate flowering and fruiting, though cultivars can vary in their response to day length. Requires a sunny position. Succeeds in a wide range of well-drained soils. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 5 - 7.5. Some cultivars are fairly drought tolerant. The plant can commence cropping within 60 - 190 days from seed. Average seed yields range from 1 - 2.5 tonnes per hectare. In Taiwan yields of 1,450 kilos are common, in Japan 1,900 kilos, in Kenya 500 - 600 kilos and in New Zealand 1,340 - 2,240 kilos. There are many named varieties. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby. When removing plant remains at the end of the growing season, it is best to only remove the aerial parts of the plant, leaving the roots in the ground to decay and release their nitrogen. Bloom Color: Bright Yellow. Spacing: 3-6 in. (7-15 cm).
Propagating it: Seed - pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow in situ. It requires soil temperatures above 16 ?c for germination.
Best place to grow:
Habit: Annual
Hardiness: 10-12
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Adzukibohne, Azuki, Chi dou, Chinese red bean, Fagiolo adzuki, Feijao adzuki, Frijol adzuki, Guruns, Haricot anguleux, Hong xiao dou, Pat, aduki bean, adzuki bean, adzuki-bean, adzukibohne, azuki, azuki-bean, chi xiao dou, chixiaodou, fagiolo adzuki, frijol adzuki, haricot adzuki, judía adzuki, pat, phaseoli angularis semen, red bean, rice bean, semen phaseoli, semen phaseoli calcarati, vignae semen.
Synonyms
Azukia angularis (Willd.) Ohwi. Dolichos angularis Willd. Phaseolus angularis (Willd.) W.Wight Phase