Vigna subterranea
Bambara groundnut
Vigna subterranea, commonly known as Bambara groundnut, is a resilient, protein-rich legume native to West Africa. Renowned for its ability to thrive in poor soils, this nutritious crop serves as a vital food security tool. It offers significant nutritional value and plays a crucial role in sustainable agricultural systems.
- Scientific name: Vigna subterranea
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Vigna, specifically as the species Vigna subterranea.
| 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 subterranea, is recognized by various regional names across different languages. In English, it is commonly called the Bambara groundnut, while in German, it is referred to as the Bambara-Erdnuss. French speakers call it the Pois bambara, and in Indonesia, it is known as Kacang bogor, a name that is also used in Javanese as Kacang Bogor.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| id | Kacang bogor | Wikidata |
| de | Bambara-Erdnuss | Wikidata |
| fr | Pois bambara | Wikidata |
| en | Bambara groundnut | Wikidata |
| jv | Kacang Bogor | Wikidata |
| sw | Mnjugu-mawe | Wikidata |
| sv | Bambarajordnöt | Wikidata |
| ja | バンバラマメ | Wikidata |
| sn | Nyimo | Wikidata |
| ar | لوبياء مطمورة | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Vigna subterranea, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several West Tropical African nations. Within this region, it can be found growing in the country of Benin. Its presence is also documented throughout Burkina Faso. Furthermore, the species is distributed within the borders of Gambia. Finally, its range extends into Guinea-Bissau, completing its regional footprint in West Tropical Africa.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Bambara groundnut, is a legume where the most significant medicinal and nutritional component is its seeds. These seeds, which develop underground, are rich in essential proteins, fats, and minerals, making them a vital source of nourishment in many cultures. Beyond their dietary value, the seeds are often utilized in traditional medicine to address various health concerns due to their dense nutrient profile.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Vigna subterranea has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include fat, benzoic acid, calcium, cinnamic acid, flavonoids.
- Total chemicals
- 15
- Scientific sources
- 16
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| fat | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| benzoic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| calcium | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cinnamic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| iron | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isoflavones | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| nitrogen | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxalate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Vigna subterranea has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |