Vigna

Vigna is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae. It comprises herbaceous annuals and short-lived perennials native to warm regions of the world, with major cultivation in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Like other legumes, many Vigna species form nitrogen-fixing associations with rhizobia, contributing to soil fertility.

The genus includes several important crops. Vigna radiata (mung bean) and Vigna angularis (azuki bean) are widely eaten as seeds and sprouts. Vigna unguiculata (cowpea) is diverse, encompassing subspecies such as the yardlong bean (V. unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis) and the black-eyed pea (V. unguiculata subsp. unguiculata). Other cultivated species include V. aconitifolia (moth bean) and V. subterranea (Bambara groundnut).

In cultivation, Vigna species are valued for heat and drought tolerance and their adaptability to poor soils. They prefer warm climates, well-drained soils, and are typically grown as short-season crops. Seeds and pods are consumed as pulses or vegetables; many are also used as cover crops or green manure. Nutritionally, Vigna seeds provide protein, fiber, and micronutrients, making them important staples in several regional cuisines.

Taxonomy places Vigna in the tribe Phaseoleae of the subfamily Faboideae within Fabaceae. Ongoing molecular studies continue to refine species boundaries and relationships within the genus.