Vigna
Family: Papilionaceae
Common Name: Snail Flower
There are about 1S0 species in this genus of upright or twining plants native to a range of tropical regions. Most species are widely cultiÂvated pulses, forage and green manure crops, although some are cultivated in the home garden. One climbing species is grown as an ornamental. In cool and cold climates, it can be grown as an annual in a warm greenhouse or conservatory.
Species
V. caracalla, snail flower, is a fast-growing climber that grows up to 6 m (20 ft) or so in the tropics, but only 2-3 m (6-10 ft) else-where. Through summer and into autumn, curious-looking flowers appear. These are purple to pink and white, coiled and convoluted, resembling snails. Perennial in tropical regions, these plants die down during winter elsewhere, but regenerate the following spring.
V. radiata, mung bean, is generally not cultivated by home gardeners except as a sprouting seed. It is cultiÂvated in some tropical countries for its edible seeds and pods.
V. unguiculata, cowpea, is grown for forage, green manure, and also for food. Subspecies sesquipedalis, known as snake bean, yard-long bean and asparagus bean, must be grown on a trellis of sufficient height to allow beans to develop properly. They may grow to 90 cm (36 in) long in ideal conditions.
Cultivation
Raise plants from seed sown in spring and germinated at a temperature of 18°C (64°F). In the greenhouse, grow in pots of soil-based potting compost. Provide maximum light, but shade from strong, direct sun. Provide support for the climbing stems, which can be trained into the roof area. If the climate is suitable for outdoor growing, plant in well-drained yet moist soil, in a sunny position. Plants can be grown over a pergola.
Climate
Zone 10 or tropical.
