Cowpea: ILCA
(Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata)

Vigna unguiculata is a grain legume that originates in Africa. Attributes such as vine shape (climbing, prostrate, or semi-erect), seed color (shades of white, pink, brown, and black), and seed maturation time (60 to 240 days) vary with variety. Pods appear in V-shaped pairs. It is an important source of edible, dry seeds. Immature/green pods, seeds, and leaves are also eaten. It makes an excellent green manure/cover crop and can be fed to livestock as hay, silage, or cut and carry forage. Best varieties for small-scale agriculture are usually those with spreading vines (for ground coverage/animal fodder) and high pod production (for human/livestock consumption). Early-maturing types are suited to short rainy seasons.

A forage variety originally from Mali and selected by the International Livestock Center for Africa. It is a bushy plant with compact pods, can be used as a green manure and cover crop, and is a drought-tolerant forage and edible pulse. Forage is of highest feed value when pods are fully formed and the first pods have ripened. Crimping speeds up the drying process.