Vigna unguiculata
Cowpea
Vigna unguiculata, commonly known as cowpea, is a versatile legume highly valued in traditional medicine and nutrition. Beyond its role as a staple food source, it offers significant therapeutic potential. Rich in bioactive compounds, this resilient plant is utilized to support metabolic health, combat oxidative stress, and provide essential nutrients.
- Scientific name: Vigna unguiculata
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales. Finally, it is a member of the family Fabaceae and is identified by the genus Vigna.
| 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, is recognized by various common names across different languages and regions. In Hindi, it is referred to as लोबिया, while in Dhivehi, it is called ރިހަ ތޮޅި. In Chinese, the names used are consistent across different scripts and regions, being identified as 豇豆 in Simplified Chinese (zh-hans), Traditional Chinese (zh-hant), and the Cantonese usage in Hong Kong (zh-hk).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| hi | लोबिया | Wikidata |
| dv | ރިހަ ތޮޅި | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 豇豆 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 豇豆 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 豇豆 | Wikidata |
| is | Augnbaun | Wikidata |
| pl | wspięga wężowata | Wikidata |
| he | לוביה | Wikidata |
| ko | 동부 | Wikidata |
| tr | Börülce | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Vigna unguiculata, exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several distinct regions. In Eastern Europe, it can be found growing within the territory of Ukraine. Its presence extends significantly into Northern Africa, where it is established in Algeria, Egypt, and Libya. Additionally, the species is documented in the Macaronesia region, specifically inhabiting Cape Verde. These varied locations demonstrate the plant's ability to adapt to different environmental conditions across multiple continents.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Europe | Ukraine | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Egypt | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Libya | 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 |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the cowpea, utilizes its nutrient-dense seeds as a primary medicinal and nutritional component. These seeds are highly valued for their ability to provide essential proteins, vitamins, and minerals, often serving as a dietary staple to combat malnutrition. In various traditional healing practices, the seeds are processed into flours or decoctions to assist in managing various health conditions, leveraging their complex chemical composition to support bodily functions.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Vigna unguiculata has 84 reported phytochemicals identified across 106 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include starch, ash, lysine, trypsin inhibitor, ascorbic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 84
- Scientific sources
- 106
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| starch | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| ash | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| lysine | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| trypsin inhibitor | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| ascorbic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fat | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ferritin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lectin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phosphorus | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phytic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Vigna unguiculata has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Alpha-Amylase-Inhibitor, Analgesic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha-Amylase-Inhibitor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Vigna unguiculata has 22 reported medicinal uses identified across 28 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cowpea mosaic virus, malnutrition, Alzheimer's disease, infertility, Candida albicans.
- Total uses
- 22
- Scientific sources
- 28
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cowpea mosaic virus | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| malnutrition | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Alzheimer's disease | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infertility | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cowpea chlorotic mottle virus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cowpea mosaic virus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flatulence | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| SARS-COV-2 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alfalfa mosaic virus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |