Vigna aconitifolia

Vigna aconitifolia is a species of legume in the family Fabaceae. It is commonly known as moth bean, mat bean, matki, Turkish gram or dew bean. The plant is native to India and Pakistan, where it is commonly cultivated for its edible beans.

Description

Vigna aconitifolia is an annual, climbing or trailing herb with yellow flowers. The plant can grow up to 40 cm in height and has a deep root system which makes it an efficient nitrogen fixer. The leaves are trifoliate with ovate leaflets, 2-3 cm long and 1.5-2 cm broad. The flowers are yellow, 1.5-2.5 cm in diameter. The fruit is a pod, 4-6 cm long and 1-1.5 cm broad, containing 4-9 seeds.

Cultivation and uses

Vigna aconitifolia is a drought-resistant legume, commonly grown in arid and semi-arid regions of India. It is commonly called mat bean, moth bean, matki, Turkish gram or dew bean in various parts of India. The pods, sprouts and protein-rich seeds of this crop are commonly consumed in India. The plant has the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, which improves soil fertility. Therefore, it is used in crop rotation with other species like cereals.

Nutritional value

The seeds of Vigna aconitifolia are rich in protein, dietary fiber and complex carbohydrates. They are also an excellent source of iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and potassium. Furthermore, they are a good source of B vitamins, vitamin E and folic acid.

See also

• Vigna radiata
• Vigna mungo
• Vigna unguiculata