LIMITATIONS
Cowpea
Vigna unguiculata and other Vigna sp.
Asparagus Pea or Bean, Black-eye (d) Pea or Bean, Bodi Bean, Catjang, Cowgram,
Spargelbohne (V. sesquipedalis), Augenbohne (V. unguiculata) (German); Feijao de
Ojo Negro, Caupi, Frijol (Spanish); Feijão Macunde. F. Frade/Fradinho, F.da China,
F.Nhemba (Portuguese); Sebereh*, Lamattarh, Engwoyeh (Tigray); Adonguari,
Digir, Eka-wohe, Degera, Fasolea-dima, Gaisa, Nguno, Nori, Nyoari, Wuch
(Ethiopia); Batong, Kibal, Karkala, Otong, Paayap (Philippines); Acundeh, Ohalé,
Caupí, (Angola); Feijão Brabham, F.deCorda, Ervilha de Vaca (Brazil); Dau
Den, D. Trang, D.Tua, D.Xa (Vietnam); Enkoole, Enkoore, Imare, Laputu, Liboshi,
Likote, Likotini, Loputa, Omugobe, Osu (Uganda); Lubia Beida, L. Helu, L.
Kordofani, L.Tayiba (Sudan); Nyemba Bean (Zimbabwe); Tonkin Pea, Tua Dam
(Thailand); Lobia (Hindi); Loobia (Pashtu & Dari).
More commonly used for Lathyrus sativa, the (Chickling)Vetch or Grass Pea.
**Also used for Lathyrus sativa.
Cowpeas are mainly grown in India and West Africa, and also in the warmer parts of
South and North America, and are found throughout the tropics and subtropics.
All cowpeas are annuals, but their plant forms vary considerably, from great long
trailing stems several metres long to climbing, bushy and erect forms. Mankind has
grown and selected cowpeas for thousands of years, leading to this extravagant
range of plant characteristics.
As a result, the classification of cowpeas is confused, and botanists are unable to
agree on a common method. One system which is fairly well recognised is to divide
cowpeas into three distinct subspecies:
Vigna unguiculata(Syn. V. cylindrica, V. sinensis var. cylindricus, V. catjang,
Dolichos unguiculatus, D. catjang, Phaseolus cylindricus)—the Catjang
Cowpea, grown mainly in Asia and to some extent in Africa.
in Africa.•
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Vigna sinensis(Syn. Dolichus sinensis)—the Common Cowpea, grown mainly158 TONY WINCH
Chickpea yields are normally rather low, and are very variable.
The flavour is bland and insipid, sometimes branded as “the poor man’s food”.The grain is very susceptible to insect infestation in storage.The grain is deficient in the sulphur containing essential amino-acids and
tryptophan.China Pea or Bean, Crowder, Indian Pea*, Kaffir Pea or Bean, Lubia, Marble
Pea, Southern Pea or Bean, Snake Bean, Tonkin Bean, Yardlong Bean; Bannette,
Dolique de Chine, Haricot à Oeil Noir, Haricot Dolique, Niébé, Pois de Brazil,
P. de Canne, P. Poona, P. Vache (French); Kakjangbohne (V. cylindrica),