Vigna lasiocarpa
Vigna lasiocarpus, commonly known as velvet bean, is a versatile climbing legume valued in traditional medicine. Renowned for its diverse bioactive compounds, it is frequently utilized to treat skin ailments, digestive issues, and inflammation. This resilient plant offers significant therapeutic potential in managing various systemic health conditions naturally.
- Scientific name: Vigna lasiocarpa
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Northern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified in the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by 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, Vigna lasiocarpa, is known by various names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In English, it is commonly referred to as velvet bean, a name that highlights the characteristic texture of its pods. In Spanish, it is frequently called frijol de seda, and in Portuguese, it is known as feijão-veludo. These common names across different languages all serve to describe the unique, soft, and fuzzy appearance of the plant's botanical features.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning multiple regions of North and Central America. In Mexico, its presence is noted across the Gulf, the Southwest, and the Southeast regions. The species also extends its range southward into Central America. Specifically, it can be found growing within the borders of Belize. Additionally, its natural habitat includes the tropical landscapes of Costa Rica.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | Mexico Gulf | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southeast | WCVP |
| Central America | Belize | WCVP |
| Central America | Costa Rica | WCVP |
| Central America | El Salvador | WCVP |
| Central America | Honduras | WCVP |
| Central America | Nicaragua | WCVP |
| Central America | Panamá | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Dominican Republic | WCVP |
Chemicals
Vigna lasiocarpa has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include kaempferol, quercetin.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| kaempferol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |