Vigna luteola

Vigna luteola (hairy cowpea, hairypod cowpea, dalrymple vigna, gilibande, goko, masheke, mugulula, indolo, a kwakwa, kavuhivahi, toshimbo shimbo) is a perennial vine found in the coastal areas of Africa, the Indies, the Americas, and Australia.^[1]

Description

Vigna luteola is a hairy, short-lived perennial vine that occurs in moist soil. Its leaves are trifoliate, and leaflets are ovate to lanceolate, 2.5–10 cm (0.98–3.94 in) long and 1.5–5 cm (0.59–1.97 in) broad. It has numerous yellow flowers that are 1.8–2.2 cm (0.71–0.87 in) long. It has thin pods that are up to 5 cm long and 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) wide. The pods are range from brown to black, and are 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) long and 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) wide.^[2] Vigna luteola was brought to Australia from Costa Rica by W.W. Bryan and is now called Dalrymple vigna in that area.

Habitat and Ecology

Vigna luteola can be found in the wet tropical coastal areas of Africa, Central America, West Indies, southern United States and northern Australia.^[3] It can root in nearly any soil, but most easily in friable soil. It is one of the few legumes which can tolerate conditions high in salt.^[4] It can be sown by seed in dung when conditions are moist and warm. It is short lived and tolerates wet soil very well.

Uses

It is highly valued as a pasture plant.^[5]

References