longleaf cowpea

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• longleaf cowpea

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Phaseolus longifolius
• Phaseolus schottii var. campestris
• Phaseolus schottii f. grandiflorus
• Phaseolus schottii f. intermedius
• Phaseolus schottii var. longifolius

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Fabales, it is a member of the Fabaceae family. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Vigna, under which the species Vigna longifolia is categorized.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide and fragmented geographical distribution spanning multiple continents. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, and Sierra Leone. Moving across the ocean, the species can also be found in the Western Indian Ocean, specifically in Madagascar. Additionally, it has established a presence in the Americas within the southeastern region of Mexico. Together, these locations highlight the diverse environments where the species thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Vigna longifolia is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse vertical gradient, ranging from sea level up to an elevation of 1000 m AMSL. This broad elevational range suggests an adaptable nature, allowing the species to occupy various ecological niches from lowland coastal or alluvial plains to mid-altitude terrains. By spanning from 0 to 1000 m AMSL, the plant is likely capable of tolerating varying thermal regimes and atmospheric pressures associated with different altitudinal zones, which facilitates its distribution across diverse landscape compositions.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Vigna longifolia is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, it functions as a helophyte, often emerging from organic matter or semi-aquatic environments to establish its presence. Furthermore, its survival strategy is categorized as a cryptophyte, indicating that its regenerative organs are protected below the soil surface or within organic substrates to endure unfavorable environmental conditions.

Life form :

helophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Vigna longifolia is characterized by its growth habit as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. It functions as an obligatory climber, adopting a vine-like growth form that relies on external structures for support rather than being self-supporting. In terms of its ecological niche and habitat, the plant is terrestrial rather than aquatic or epiphytic, existing as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. Its structural development is defined by this herbaceous, climbing nature, which allows it to navigate its terrestrial environment effectively.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Vigna longifolia has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include kaempferol, quercetin.

kaempferol

1. Phytochemistry

quercetin

1. Phytochemistry