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Romfh, Peggy

Vigna luteola

Vigna luteola (Jacq.) Benth.

Hairypod Cowpea, Yellow Vigna

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Synonym(s): Vigna nilotica, Vigna repens

USDA Symbol: VILU3

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), PR (N), VI (N)

Yellow Vigna is a member of the pea family (Fabaceae), which includes trees, shrubs, herbs, and vines with compound or occasionally simple leaves and flowers usually in clusters. Taken as a single family, there are about 640 genera and 17,000 species. This enormous family, also known as the bean or legume family, includes many economically important genera: Peas belong to the genus Pisum; beans to Phaseolus; soybeans to Glycine; peanuts to Arachis; lentils to Lens; and chickpeas (garbanzos) to CicerMedicago sativa) and clover species (Trifolium) provide forage for domestic livestock, but many other species are poisonous range weeds. Exotic hardwoods and gum arabic are provided by tropical trees belonging to this family, and numerous members are cultivated as handsome ornamentals. The traditional family name, Leguminosae, reflects some of the family's importance (in Latin it refers to "plants with seedpods," and in French legume means "vegetable"). The family is sometimes split into three smaller families, each distinguished by one of the three flower types: the Fabaceae, Mimosaceae, and Caesalpiniaceae. The fruit, an important feature, is similar in all three.

From the Image Gallery

58 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Vine
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Fruit Type: Legume
Size Notes: Stems scrambling or climbing, up to about 6 feet long, or more.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov , Dec

Distribution

USA: AL , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , PA , SC , TX , VA

Benefit

Warning: The seeds of some Vignas contain cyanide compounds and are toxic to humans and animals if eaten. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable because of their curiosity and small size.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACW			FAC	FACW	FACW	FAC		FACW

This information is derived from: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (2023). 2022 National Wetland Plant List, version 3.6. U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS. https://wetland-plants.usace.army.mil/. Click here for map of regions.

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 1060 Collected Oct 1, 1995 in Comal County by Mary Beth White

1 specimen(s) available in the Digital Herbarium

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-1194 Collected 2008-08-11 in Gaveston County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

1 collection(s) available in the Wildflower Center Seed Bank

Web Reference

Webref 57 - Atlas of Florida Plants (2020) Institute for Systematic Botany
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Vigna luteola in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Vigna luteola in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Vigna luteola

Metadata

Record Modified: 2026-08-13
Research By: TWC Staff

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