Food Plants International

59
Names
English: Cowpea Scientific name: Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata (L.) Walp.
Tok pisin: Synonyms: Vigna sinensis (Linn.) Savi ex Hassk.
Tok ples: Plant family: Fabaceae
Description: A creeping bean type plant with straight
firm pods. Both cover crop types (leafy) and grain
types occur. There is a deep taproot and many
branches occur from it in the surface of the soil. The
root nodules are large and round. They can be 5 mm
across. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The end leaflet can
be 12-16 cm long. This leaflet is larger than the side
leaflets. The side leaflets are assymetrical. The
stipules at the base of the leaf are large and with spurs
at their base. Flowers occur often in pairs on the end of
long flowering shoots. This stalk can be 2 cm to 30 cm
long. Only 2-4 flowers in each stalk produce pods.
Flowers are white, yellow or blue. They are large and
showy. The standard petal is 2-3 cm across. The pods
are about 15 cm long. The seeds are white except for a
dark scar.
Distribution: It grows from sea level to 1800 metres altitude in the tropics. Plants can stand
high temperatures. Some kinds can tolerate drought. They are sensitive to cold and killed by
frost. They can grow on a range of soils providing they are well drained. They are a short day
plant. They do well in the semiarid tropics.
Cultivation: It is grown from seeds. Seed collection is easy. Seeds remain viable for several
years if carefully stored. A seeding rate of about 20 kg per ha is suitable and seed are sometimes
broadcast then thinned. Cowpeas mostly inbreed giving pure lines.
Production:
Use: The young leaves, young pods and ripe seeds are all eaten.
The seeds are also used for bean sprouts.
Food Value: Per 100 g edible portion
Edible part Moisture
%
Energy
KJ
Protein
g
Calcium
mg
Iron
mg
proVit A
µg
proVit C
mg
Pods 89.5 142 2.6 0.7 45 17.0 0.2
Leaves 91.3 92 4.7 1.1 576 IU 18 0.2
Seeds dry 11.2 1189 23.5 4.7 712 IU 35 0.3
Seeds young 75.5 406 3.2 1.1 79 2.2 1.0
Insects:
Acrocercops caerulea Meyrick Gracillariidae (LEP.)
Aphis craccivora Koch Aphididae (HEM) Cowpea aphid
Aspidiotus destructor Signoret Diaspididae (HEM) Coconut scale
Dysdercus cingulatus (F.) Pyrrhocoridae (HEM) Red cotton bug
Dysdercus sidae Montr. Pyrrhocoridae (HEM) Red cotton bug
Epilachna signatipennis Boisd. Coccinellidae (COL.) Leaf eating beetle
Euproctis sp nr fulvistriata Lymantriidae (LEP.)
Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell) Pseudococcidae (HEM)
Heliothis armiger Hubn. Noctuidae (LEP) Corn earworm
Zinc
mg