Dune-bean (Vigna marina, Interpr. Herb. Amboin.: 285 (1917))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: (Burm.) Merr.

Bibliography: Interpr. Herb. Amboin.: 285 (1917)

Year: 1917

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Vigna

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. Old World to Pacific

Description

Dune-bean, scientifically known as Vigna marina, is a notable member of the Fabaceae family. This remarkable plant thrives in tropical and subtropical regions, extending its presence from the Old World to the vast expanse of the Pacific.

The Vigna marina exhibits an exquisite adaptation to coastal environments, often found flourishing in sandy soil where it aids in the stabilization of dunes, thus playing a critical role in preventing soil erosion. This hardy and resilient plant is not only significant for its environmental contributions but also for its potential uses in human consumption and agriculture.

An in-depth study of Vigna marina was elucidated in the work “Interpretation of Herbarium Amboinense” in 1917 by the renowned botanist Burman, and later acknowledged by Merr. The botanical community recognizes this plant for its vibrant green foliage and delicate, yet robust vines that create a tapestry of greenery on otherwise barren sandscapes.

Dune-bean offers a fascinating subject for botanists and ecologists alike, given its unique ability to thrive in challenging habitats. Its role in ecosystem balance and its utility in various traditional practices underscore the importance of preserving this extraordinary species. As research continues, Vigna marina may reveal even more about the intricate relationships within coastal ecosystems and the potential benefits it holds for future ecological and agricultural applications.

Common Names

Por: batatarana
Eng: dune-bean, notched cowpea, sea-bean
Ita: vigna marina
Zho: bin jiang dou
Jpn: hama-azuki, hama-sasage
En: Dune-bean, Notched cowpea, Sea-bean, Beach pea, M-hihi, Notched Cow-Pea, Mhihi, Beach Bean, Haricot du Bord de Mer, Liane Ronde, Nikko fir, Pine Lautolo, Shore Bean, Tutu Faroa, Batatarana, Field Bean, M_x001D_hihi
Ar: لوبياء بحرية
Zh: Bin jiang dou, 滨豇豆, 濱豇豆
Fr: Haricot du Bord de Mer
It: Vigna marina
Ja: Hama-azuki, Hama-sasage
Ml: വിഗ്ന മാരിന
Pt: Batatarana
Zh-tw: 濱豇豆
Th: ถั่วผีทะเล
Zh-hant: 濱豇豆

Synonyms

• Vigna lutea var. samoensis (Hochr.)
• Vigna rotundifolia (Hassk.)
• Vigna marina subsp. oblonga ((Benth.) Padulosi)
• Vigna repens var. lutea ((Sw.) Kuntze)
• Vigna oblonga (Benth.)
• Vigna retusa ((E.Mey.) Walp.)
• Dolichos luteus (Sw.)
• Scytalis anomala (Vogel)
• Dolichos savii (Montrouz.)
• Dolichos retusus (E.Mey.)
• Phaseolus obovatus (Graham)
• Vigna marina subsp. riukiuensis ((Ohwi) S.S.Ying)
• Vigna lutea ((Sw.) A.Gray)
• Scytalis retusa (E.Mey.)
• Vigna anomala (Walp.)
• Callicysthus volubilis (Endl.)

Distribution

• Aldabra (native)
• Andaman Is. (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Bismarck Archipelago (native)
• Borneo (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Caroline Is. (native)
• Central African Repu (native)
• Chagos Archipelago (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Cocos (Keeling) Is. (native)
• Congo (native)
• Cook Is. (native)
• Equatorial Guinea (native)
• Fiji (native)
• Gabon (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Gilbert Is. (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• Hainan (native)
• Hawaii (native)
• India (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Japan (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Kazan-retto (native)
• KwaZulu-Natal (native)
• Laccadive Is. (native)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
• Liberia (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Maldives (native)
• Maluku (native)
• Marianas (native)
• Marshall Is. (native)
• Mauritius (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Nauru (native)
• New Guinea (native)
• New South Wales (native)
• Nicobar Is. (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Niue (native)
• Norfolk Is. (native)
• Northern Territory (native)
• Ogasawara-shoto (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Queensland (native)
• Réunion (native)
• Samoa (native)
• Seychelles (native)
• Society Is. (native)
• Solomon Is. (native)
• South China Sea (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Sulawesi (native)
• Sumatera (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Tonga (native)
• Tuamotu (native)
• Tubuai Is. (native)
• Tuvalu (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• Wallis-Futuna Is. (native)
• Brazil Northeast (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Panamá (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Jan 10, 2021 by PATRICK PREVOST (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 22, 2020 by Yves Burckel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Forest & Kim Starr (cc-by)

Taken Nov 2, 2021 by Klara Law Maresova (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2022 by Marrelie Page (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Mar 16, 2020 by Taibi Kader (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 19, 2020 by Ice Red (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Tna (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2982571)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:525428-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Vigna marina (Burm.) Merr.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Vine, Forb/herb

Growth