Dew Bean

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Dew Bean
• Mat Bean
• Moth Bean
• mat-bean
• moth-bean

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Dolichos dissectus
• Phaseolus aconitifolius
• Glycine triloba
• Phaseolus palmatus
• Vigna aridicola

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, situated within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Vigna, specifically as the species Vigna aconitifolia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread geographical distribution across several distinct regions of Asia and Africa. In Northeast Tropical Africa, its presence is specifically noted in Eritrea. Its range extends into the Arabian Peninsula, where it can be found in Yemen. Within the Asian continent, it is distributed throughout China, particularly in the South-Central regions. Finally, the species is also established within the Indian Subcontinent, occurring in both Assam and Bangladesh.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Vigna aconitifolia is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental process—from seed germination to flowering and seed production—within a single growing season. As an annual herb, it typically thrives in disturbed habitats or open grasslands where it can rapidly exploit available resources to ensure reproductive success before the onset of unfavorable environmental conditions. The cycle begins with the germination of seeds, followed by a period of vegetative growth where the plant develops its climbing or trailing stems and trifoliate leaves. This is followed by a reproductive phase marked by the emergence of characteristic flowers, which eventually develop into pods containing seeds. Once the seeds have matured and been dispersed, the individual plant completes its biological mission and dies, leaving the next generation to emerge from the soil in the subsequent season.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Vigna aconitifolia is characterized by its growth form as a herb, exhibiting a relatively modest stature with an average plant height of approximately 0.3 m. As a climbing species, it functions as a self-supporting climber, utilizing its structure to navigate its environment. The plant's physical composition is distinctly non-woody, maintaining a herbaceous texture throughout its development.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Plant height mean:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Vigna aconitifolia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency under typical environmental conditions. As a member of the Fabaceae family, the plant possesses the specialized physiological capacity to act as a nitrogen fixer, utilizing symbiotic relationships with rhizobia bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for growth. This nitrogen-fixing ability enhances its ability to thrive in nutrient-poor soils and contributes to its overall metabolic robustness.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Vigna aconitifolia is primarily driven by biotic mechanisms, characterized by a pollination syndrome that relies on living organisms to facilitate genetic transfer. This reproductive process is specifically mediated by insects, which serve as the key pollinators for the species. Within this framework, the plant exhibits a capacity for self-fertilization, allowing for successful seed production through internal pollen transfer. The interplay of these traits ensures a robust reproductive cycle, utilizing insect-mediated biotic interactions to achieve successful fertilization and subsequent propagation.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Vigna aconitifolia has 45 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include cystine, methionine, oleic acid, palmitic acid, Ash.

cystine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

methionine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

oleic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

palmitic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

CA

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

COPPER

1. Dr. Duke

Chlorine-

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Vigna aconitifolia has 346 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor, Absorbent, Acarifuge, Acidulant.

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Absorbent

1. Dr. Duke

Acarifuge

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Adjuvant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke