Vigna pilosa

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A climbing bean plant herb. It grows 1-3 m long. The branches are tender and white and hairy. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaf stalk is 3-5 cm long. The leaflets are oval and taper to the tip while being rounded at the base. They are 2-10 cm long by 1-8 cm wide. The flowers are in a group 12 cm long in the axils of the leaves. The pods are narrow and 6-14 cm long by 5-7 mm wide. The seeds are cylinder shaped and 5-7 mm long by 4 mm wide. They are black.

There are about 150 Vigna species. They are mostly in the tropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in hedges and bamboo forest. It grows from low elevation up to 1,000 m above sea level. It can withstand water-logging.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Philippines, SE Asia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The seeds are cooked and eaten in times of scarcity.

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

It grows slowly and does not produce a lot of seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Jhikrai, Malkonia, Taw-pe

Synonyms

Dolichos pilosus J. G. Klein ex Willd.; Dolichovigna pilosa (Willd.) Niyodham; Dysolobium pilosum (J. G. Klein ex Willd.) Marechal;