Mavuno Cowpea

Vigna unguiculata Originating from Magu, Tanzania, Mavuno Cowpea, named after the Swahili word for harvest, is an exceptionally vigorous legume that spreads like sweet potato vines rather than climbing neighboring plants. It functions as a powerful ground cover and nitrogen-fixer, excelling even in poor, sandy soils and suppressing weeds around young trees without overtaking them.

The plants produce large pods filled with cream-colored seeds that can be shelled fresh or dried for cooking, though pod production only begins as days shorten in late summer and fall.

Packet: ~30 seeds

Good to start from seed in these months:

North Florida: June-July

Central Florida: March-August

South Florida: April-August