ricebean

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Oriental-bean
• climbing mountain-bean
• mambi-bean
• rice-bean
• Rice Bean

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Azukia umbellata
• Vigna ricciardiana
• Phaseolus chrysanthos var. hirtus
• Dolichos umbellatus
• Phaseolus humilis
• Phaseolus calcaratus
• Phaseolus chrysanthos
• Phaseolus leptospermus
• Vigna brachycalyx
• Phaseolus ricciardianus var. macrocarpus
• Vigna ricciardiana var. macrocarpa
• Phaseolus ricciardianus
• Vigna papuana
• Phaseolus hispidulus
• Vigna calcarata
• Phaseolus torosus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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 and is specifically identified by the genus Vigna.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several distinct regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in both Ghana and Sierra Leone. Moving into West-Central Tropical Africa, the species can be found in Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Additionally, the plant extends its reach into East Tropical Africa, specifically within Kenya. Collectively, these locations highlight the diverse ecological range inhabited by Vigna umbellata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Vigna umbellata is defined by its specific niche within montane environments, where it thrives within a precise altitudinal belt. This species is specialized to inhabit high-altitude terrains, maintaining a strictly defined elevational range that begins at 1300 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 1500 m AMSL. Occupying this narrow vertical corridor suggests an adaptation to the specific microclimates, temperature gradients, and atmospheric pressures characteristic of these mid-to-high elevation zones. Such a specialized distribution indicates that the plant's physiological processes and reproductive success are closely tied to the environmental conditions found within this 200-meter altitudinal span.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1300 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Vigna umbellata is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental process—from seed germination to flowering and seed production—within a single growing season. As an annual species, it focuses its energy on rapid vegetative growth followed by an intensive reproductive phase to ensure the dispersal of the next generation before the onset of unfavorable environmental conditions. The process typically begins with the germination of seeds in moist soil, leading to the establishment of a climbing or prostrate vine. Throughout its short life, the plant undergoes significant physiological changes to support the development of its inflorescences and subsequent pod formation. Once the seeds have reached maturity within the pods, the parent plant completes its biological mission and senesces, leaving the seeds to persist in the soil bank until the subsequent season.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Vigna umbellata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically functioning as a vine. It is an obligatory climber that utilizes a twining mechanism to ascend, reaching an average plant height of approximately 3 meters. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently in its environment without being an epiphyte or a parasite. The plant exhibits a herbaceous structure throughout its development, lacking any significant woodiness in its stems.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Vigna umbellata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation process through the standard Calvin cycle, typically occurring in mesophyll cells. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a highly efficient nitrogen metabolism as a nitrogen fixer, utilizing symbiotic relationships with rhizobia bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, thereby enhancing its nutritional profile and supporting growth in nitrogen-limited soils.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Vigna umbellata is primarily driven by sexual processes facilitated by its specialized floral structures. The plant exhibits a reproductive strategy where self-fertilization is present, allowing for the development of seeds through the union of pollen and ovules within the same flower. This mechanism ensures reproductive success even in isolated environments or when pollinator availability is limited. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops characteristic pods that house the seeds, which serve as the primary units for dispersal and the initiation of the next generation. The presence of self-fertilization plays a crucial role in maintaining the genetic continuity of the species within its specific ecological niche.

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Vigna umbellata has 17 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include RAFFINOSE, Stachyose, 1-Deoxymannojirimycin, Ash, CATECHIN.

RAFFINOSE

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
2. Die Nahrung

Stachyose

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
2. Die Nahrung

1-Deoxymannojirimycin

1. Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry

Ash

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

CATECHIN

1. Nutrients

FAT

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

Gallic acid

1. Nutrients

RUTIN

1. Nutrients

Trypsin inhibitor

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

Verbascose

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

Activities

Vigna umbellata has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hepatoprotective.

Hepatoprotective

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Conditions

Vigna umbellata has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include diuresis, flatulence.

Diuresis

1. Nutrients

Flatulence

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)