mung bean

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• green-gram
• mung-bean
• mungo-bean
• Mung Bean
• Celera-bean
• Green Gam
• Jerusalem Pea
• Green Gram

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Azukia radiata
• Phaseolus radiatus

Regional and Traditional Names

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, it falls under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Vigna.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution that spans across multiple continents. In Northern Europe, it can be found within the borders of Great Britain. Its presence extends into Eastern Europe, specifically throughout Ukraine and South European Russia. Furthermore, the species is located in West Tropical Africa, including the nation of Benin. Finally, its range continues through West Tropical Africa to include Burkina.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Vigna radiata is characterized by its ability to thrive within a specific altitudinal niche, specifically occupying an elevational range that centers around 2500 m AMSL. This specialized distribution suggests that the species is adapted to the particular climatic conditions, such as atmospheric pressure, temperature fluctuations, and moisture levels, found at this altitude. By maintaining a consistent presence at this height, the plant occupies a distinct ecological stratum, likely interacting with specific soil compositions and pollinator communities unique to this elevation.

Elevational range max:

2500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Vigna radiata is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning it completes its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, the plant survives the unfavorable seasons primarily in the form of seeds, which remain dormant until conditions become optimal for growth. This life form strategy allows it to rapidly exploit available resources during its brief period of vegetative and reproductive activity, ensuring the continuity of the species through the dispersal of its progeny before the onset of environmental stress.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Vigna radiata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, lacking parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. The plant exhibits a vine-like climbing habit, though it possesses the capability to be self-supporting. Its shoot orientation is primarily erect, contributing to a physical stature that ranges from a minimum of 0 m to a maximum height of 1 m, with an average plant height of approximately 0.90 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.903333333333333 m

Plant height min:

0 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Vigna radiata is characterized by its efficient metabolic processes and specific morphological adaptations. It utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway to convert light energy into chemical energy, a common trait among many legumes. The plant exhibits non-succulent tissue, meaning it lacks significant water-storage adaptations in its vegetative structures. Its foliage is defined by trifoliate leaves that vary in size, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 16 cm, and leaf widths spanning between 2 cm and 5 cm. A critical physiological feature of this species is its ability to function as a nitrogen fixer, establishing symbiotic relationships with soil bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, which significantly enhances its nutrient uptake and soil fertility.

Leaf length max:

16 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Vigna radiata is characterized by a biological cycle that begins with a distinct flowering period, typically starting in July and concluding in August. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. This reproductive process is supported by the presence of self-fertilization, ensuring seed set even in varying environmental conditions. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of a pod, which is a dehiscent structure, meaning it splits open at maturity to release its contents. The seeds produced during this cycle exhibit significant variability in mass, with a minimum seed mass of 0.0121 g, a mean mass of approximately 0.0379 g, and a maximum mass of 0.0684 g. Finally, the dispersal of these seeds is primarily anthropochorous, meaning they are dispersed through human activity.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit type :

pod

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.0684 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0379094873333333 g

Seed mass min:

0.0121 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Vigna radiata has 1 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Seed

1. Biochimica et biophysica acta
2. Pharmaceutical biology
3. The Indian journal of medical research

Chemicals

Vigna radiata has 243 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include lysine, ATP, IRON, NADH, Phytic acid.

lysine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zeitschrift fur Lebensmittel-Untersuchung und -Forschung
3. Zeitschrift fur Ernahrungswissenschaft
4. Archivos latinoamericanos de nutricion
5. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition

ATP

1. Nitric oxide : biology and chemistry
2. The Biochemical journal
3. Plant molecular biology
4. Biochimica et biophysica acta

IRON

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
3. Zeitschrift fur Lebensmittel-Untersuchung und -Forschung
4. The American journal of clinical nutrition

NADH

1. Nitric oxide : biology and chemistry
2. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics
3. Indian journal of biochemistry & biophysics
4. Biochemistry and molecular biology international

Phytic acid

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
2. Zeitschrift fur Lebensmittel-Untersuchung und -Forschung
3. Biotechnologia
4. Journal of biochemistry

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
3. Zeitschrift fur Lebensmittel-Untersuchung und -Forschung

LIGNIN

1. Astrophysical letters & communications
2. Annals of botany
3. Die Nahrung

NAD+

1. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics
2. Indian journal of biochemistry & biophysics
3. Biochemistry and molecular biology international

daidzein

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)

glucose

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecular and cellular biochemistry
3. Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition

Activities

Vigna radiata has 645 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiallergic, Antidiabetic, Antihypertensive, Antimicrobial, Antinociceptive.

Antiallergic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biotechnologia

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biotechnologia

Antihypertensive

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biotechnologia

Antimicrobial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biotechnologia

Antinociceptive

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biotechnologia

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biotechnologia

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biotechnologia

Hepatoprotective

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Vigna radiata has 21 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Listeria monocytogenes, salt stress, Salmonella Typhimurium, anorexia, antiallergic.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations