Notched Cowpea
Vigna marina
- Native to:
- Aldabra, Andaman Is., Australia, Bangladesh, Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Cameroon, Caroline Is., Central African Republic, Chagos Archipelago, China, Cocos (Keeling) Is., Congo, Cook Is., Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Gilbert Is., Guam, Gulf of Guinea Is., Hainan, Hawaii, India, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jawa, Kazan-retto, Laccadive Is., Lesser Sunda Is., Liberia, Madagascar, Malaya, Maldives, Maluku, Marianas, Marshall Is., Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Nauru, New Guinea, Nicobar Is., Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Is., Ogasawara-shoto, Palau, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Réunion, Samoa, Seychelles, Society Is., Solomon Is., South Africa, South China Sea, Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tokelau-Manihiki, Tonga, Tuamotu, Tubuai Is., Tuvalu, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, United States, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Wallis-Futuna Is.
Forest & Kim Starr (www.hear.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Vigna
- Species:
- Vigna marina
- USDA Symbol:
- VIMA3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Vine
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jan,feb,mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct,nov,dec
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, nutrient-poor, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- commonly found in coastal areas and dunes
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Hard seed coat requires scarification (nicking or hot water treatment) for best germination. Seeds are salt-water dispersed and remain viable after ocean travel.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI