Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata
Black-eyed pea
Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata, commonly known as cowpea, is a versatile legume prized for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Rich in antioxidants and essential minerals, it is traditionally used to manage hypertension, promote digestive health, and combat inflammation, making it a vital component in holistic dietary wellness strategies.
- Scientific name: Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified within the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Vigna as the subspecies unguiculata.
| 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 unguiculata subsp. unguiculata, is recognized by various common names across different languages and cultures. In English, it is widely called the black-eyed pea, while in French, it is referred to as Cornille. Its regional names also vary significantly, such as ލޫބިޔާ in Dhivehi, لوبياء in Arabic, and කවුපී in Sinhala.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| dv | ލޫބިޔާ | Wikidata |
| fr | Cornille | Wikidata |
| en | black-eyed pea | Wikidata |
| ar | لوبياء | Wikidata |
| si | කවුපී | Wikidata |
| mr | चवळी | Wikidata |
| vi | Đậu dải trắng rốn nâu | Wikidata |
| id | Kacang tunggak | Wikidata |
| bg | Vigna unguiculata unguiculata | Wikidata |
| kn | ಅಲಸಂದೆ | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning multiple continents and climatic zones. In Eastern Europe, its presence is specifically noted within the borders of Ukraine. Moving toward the Atlantic, it can be found in the Macaronesian region of Cape Verde. The species is also widely established across West Tropical Africa, appearing in countries such as Benin and Burkina. Additionally, its range extends through the West Tropical African nation of Gambia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Europe | Ukraine | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| 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 | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mauritania | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the cowpea, utilizes various stages of development to facilitate its medicinal and nutritional properties. The primary source of nutrition and bioactive compounds is found within the seeds, which are stored in protective pods. During the early stages of development, the seed cotyledons serve as a vital energy reservoir, providing the necessary nutrients to fuel the initial growth of the embryo. As the process of life begins, the germinating seeds undergo a transformation where these stored resources are mobilized, leading to the emergence of the radical and plumule, marking the transition from a dormant state to an active, growing organism.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seed cotyledons | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| germinating seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3-O-acetyloleanolic acid, cycloartenol, stigmasterol.
- Total chemicals
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 3-O-acetyloleanolic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cycloartenol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stigmasterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |