Cowpea (English name) Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. (=V.sinensis Endl.)

Japanese: ササゲ(豇豆) - ササゲ（英語表記）Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.(＝V.sinensis Endl.)

An annual plant of the legume family (illustration), grown for its edible young pods and ripe beans, and for its foliage and green manure. Also called cowpea. Native to Africa, it was introduced to India and Southeast Asia in ancient times. It is believed to have been introduced to Japan from China by the 9th century. It was also introduced to Europe in the 3rd century BC. There are many varieties of cowpea. There are also differentiated cultivars such as V. u.ssp . cylindrica (L.) Van Eseltine (= V. catjang (Burm.f.) Walp) and V. u.var . sesquipedalis (L.) Verde (= V. sesquipedalis (L.) Fruw.), but these are all collectively treated as cowpea.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

若い莢（さや）や熟した豆を食用とし，茎葉を飼料や緑肥とするために栽培するマメ科の一年草（イラスト）。カウピーcowpeaともいう。原産地はアフリカで，古代にインドや東南アジアに伝わった。日本には中国から9世紀までには渡来していたらしい。また，ヨーロッパには紀元前3世紀に伝わった。ササゲには多くの品種がある。またヤッコササゲV.u.ssp.cylindrica (L.) Van Eseltine(＝V.catjang (Burm.f.) Walp)やジュウロクササゲV.u.var.sesquipedalis (L.) Verde(＝V.sesquipedalis (L.) Fruw.)などの品種群も分化しているが，それらもまとめてササゲとして扱われる。

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