Moth Bean, Turkish gram
Vigna aconitifolia
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A slender annual herb. It can be erect or creeping. The vines form a mat like cover over the soil. It is slightly hairy. The leaves have stalks. They are deeply 3 lobed. The lobes are narrow. The flowers are yellow. The fruit is a pod shaped like a cylinder. There are usually 7-8 seeds. They are small and yellowish brown.
There are about 150 Vigna species. They are mostly in the tropics. Also as Papilionaceae.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. In Nepal it grows up to 1000 m altitude. It will grow on shallow dry soils. It is not tolerant of frost. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 380-1,730 mm. It grows in acid, neutral and alkaline soils. It grows below 1,300 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. In Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Afghanistan, Africa, Americas, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Botswana, Central America, China, Costa Rica, East Africa, Ethiopia, Fiji, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Kenya, Mexico, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, USA, Vietnam, Yemen
How it is used for food
Seeds are used in lentil soup. They are boiled, parched, fried in oil or prepared with salt as a snack. They can be ground into flour and mixed with other grains to make unleavened bread. In India is it made into Dahl and bean paste. The young pods are cooked as a vegetable.
It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is an important bean in India. The young pods re enjoyed.
Edible parts
Seeds, pods, vegetable
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed.
Its other names
Local names
Bhioni, Bhringga, Birmoch, Birmung, Dau Odau, Dew bean, Gurans, Kheri, Kuncumape-salu, Madike, Makushthaka, Masjang, Mat bean, Math, Matki, Moch, Moot, Mugirambara, Mut, Muth bean, Papillon bean, Taw-pe-nauk, Tulukkapayir
Synonyms
Dolichos dissectus Lam.; Phaseolus aconitifolius Jacquin; Phaseolus palmatus Forsskal;