Vigna angularis
Azuki bean
Vigna angularis, commonly known as the adzuki bean, is a highly nutritious legume widely cultivated across East Asia. Beyond its culinary importance, it holds significant medicinal value in traditional practices. Renowned for its antioxidant properties, it is frequently used to support digestive health, reduce inflammation, and promote detoxification.
- Scientific name: Vigna angularis
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, it is further organized into the family Fabaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Vigna.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Vigna | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Vigna angularis, is recognized by various common names across different languages and cultures. In Russian, it is referred to as Адзуки, while in Esperanto, it is called Azuki-fabo. Its names also vary significantly in East and Southeast Asia, where it is known as 紅豆 in Chinese, Feiijão-azuqui in Portuguese, and Đậu đỏ in Vietnamese.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ru | Адзуки | Wikidata |
| eo | Azuki-fabo | Wikidata |
| zh | 紅豆 | Wikidata |
| pt | Feijão-azuqui | Wikidata |
| vi | Đậu đỏ | Wikidata |
| ca | mongeta azuki | Wikidata |
| de | Adzukibohne | Wikidata |
| ko | 팥 | Wikidata |
| sv | Azukiböna | Wikidata |
| ja | アズキ | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical range that spans across several distinct regions of Asia and Africa. In the Russian Far East, its presence can be identified in both the Primorye and Sakalin territories. The distribution continues through China, where it is found in the South-Central provinces as well as on the island of Hainan. Furthermore, the species extends its reach into East Tropical Africa, specifically within the borders of Kenya. Consequently, these diverse locations demonstrate the plant's ability to inhabit varied climatic zones.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Primorye | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Sakhalin | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | Inner Mongolia | WCVP |
| China | Manchuria | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| China | Qinghai | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the mung bean (Vigna angularis), undergoes a complex developmental process where the epicotyl plays a crucial role in its early growth stages. As the seedling emerges from the soil, the epicotyl—the portion of the stem located above the cotyledons—extends upward to support the development of the first true leaves. This structural component is essential for establishing the plant's photosynthetic capacity, helping the young seedling transition from relying on stored seed energy to producing its own nutrients, ultimately supporting the healthy growth of the medicinal plant.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| epicotyls | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Vigna angularis has 38 reported phytochemicals identified across 42 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, galactinol, raffinose, stachyose, 4-aminobutylcadaverine.
- Total chemicals
- 38
- Scientific sources
- 42
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| galactinol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| raffinose | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stachyose | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 4-aminobutylcadaverine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ACC | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bg | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cd | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| D-ononitol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| GSH | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Vigna angularis has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hepatoprotective.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Vigna angularis has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, diabetes mellitus, muscle atrophy, obesity, osteoclastogenesis.
- Total uses
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 9
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| muscle atrophy | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| obesity | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| osteoclastogenesis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| osteoporosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| type 1 diabetes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| type 2 diabetes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |