Cowpea
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)
Cowpea (/'kaʊpi:/), also known as black-eyed pea or Southern pea is a type of legume cultivated for its edible seeds and leaves. The term "cowpea" is believed to have originated from its use as a fodder crop for cows. The plant is a member of the Fabaceae family, which includes other important crops such as soybean and peanut.
Etymology
The name "cowpea" is thought to have been derived from the fact that it was originally used as fodder for cows. The species name unguiculata is from Latin, meaning "with a small claw", which refers to the shape of the flower's petals.
Description
Cowpea plants are annuals, typically growing to a height of 1-2 meters. The leaves are alternate and trifoliate, with three leaflets. The flowers are self-pollinating, and the seeds are contained in long, cylindrical pods.
Cultivation and Uses
Cowpeas are grown in many parts of the world, particularly in Africa, Asia, and the southern United States. They are a valuable crop due to their ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, improving soil fertility. The seeds are high in protein and are used in a variety of dishes, while the leaves can be eaten as a green vegetable.
Related Terms
- Legume: A type of plant in the Fabaceae family, which includes cowpeas.
- Nitrogen fixation: The process by which certain plants, including cowpeas, convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use.
- Fodder: Food for livestock, such as cows.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cowpea
- Wikipedia's article - Cowpea
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski