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Vigna unguiculata - (L.)Verdc.

Common Name Jerusalem Pea
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Not known
Range A cultivated form, notknown in the wild.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Full sun
Vigna unguiculata Jerusalem Pea


Vigna unguiculata Jerusalem Pea

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Vigna unguiculata is a ANNUAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
It is frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

V. catjang. Walp. V. cylindrica.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Young seedpods - cooked[2, 177]. They are picked whilst the seeds are very immature and then cooked like French beans[183]. Seed - cooked[2, 183]. Rich in protein.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


The seed is diuretic[240]. It is used to strengthen the stomach[240]. When boiled and eaten as a food it is considered to destroy worms in the stomach[240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a very warm sunny position in a moist but well drained soil. Often cultivated for its edible seed in warm temperate and tropical zones, it is best started off in a greenhouse in Britain and planted out after the last expected frosts. Plants have given reasonable yields for the past 3 years on our trial grounds in Cornwall (1993)[K]. 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[200]. 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.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow in trays in early to mid spring in a greenhouse. Germination should take place within 10 days. Grow the plants on fast and plant them out after the last expected frosts. Consider giving them the protection of a cloche for their first few weeks outdoors to ensure that they do not suffer a check to their growth. An outdoor sowing in situ in late spring may succeed in a warm summer, though it is much more likely to be a disappointment in Britain.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Catjangbohne, Dolique catjan, Duan jia jiang dou, Fagiolo del occhio, Hata sasage, Judia catjang, Panni minnapayaru, Sanndaek sa, catjang cowpea, kulattha, long bean|mekaral / li -me / nil me.

Native Range

Coming Soon

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Vigna angularisAdzuki BeanAnnual0.8 10-12 FLMHSNDM422
Vigna hoseiSarawak BeanPerennial Climber1.0 10-12 FLMHSNMWe004
Vigna mungoBlack Gram, Urd Bean, Black Matpe, Black Mung BeanAnnual1.0 10-12 FLMHNMWe422
Vigna radiataMung Bean, Thai Mung BeanAnnual0.8 10-12 FLMHSNDM422
Vigna unguiculata cylindricaJerusalem PeaAnnual0.5 10-12  LMNM210
Vigna unguiculata unguiculataBlack-Eyed PeaAnnual Climber4.0 10-12 FLMHSNDM422

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(L.)Verdc.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

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Subject : Vigna unguiculata  
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