Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.

All images: Click on each image to see a larger version and details of the record View selected images

Photo: Mark Hyde
Reps Theatre carpark

Photo: Sune Holt
Munavalate, Vilanculos Distr., Inhambane, Mozambique

Photo: Bart Wursten
Between Malangalanga and Area 3, Lilongwe

Detailed records: Display species records QDS maps by: Google Maps Point records by Google Maps

Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms:
Common names:	Pigeon pea (English)
Frequency:	A rare escape from cultivation
Status:	Introduced
Description:	Shrub 1.5-3 m. Stems prominently ribbed. Leaflets green above, silvery grey beneath, acute with small yellow glands and prominent venation beneath. Inflorescence brownish glandular-hairy. Standard bright yellow. Pods shiny, glandular-hairy, constricted between the seeds and slightly inflated.
Type location:	Sri Lanka
Notes:	Commonly seen as a planted or cultivated shrub but rarely found as a naturalised escape.
Derivation of specific name:
Habitat:	In waste places and coastal open woodland.
Altitude range: (metres)	0 - 1450 m
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Cultivated throughout the tropics and subtropics for food and widely naturalised.
FZ divisions:	N,Z,T,GI,M
Growth form(s):	Shrub over 2 m.
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:	Maruca vitrata (Larval foodplant)
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Images last updated:	Friday 17 October 2014
Literature:	Burrows, J.E., Burrows, S.M., Lötter, M.C. & Schmidt, E. (2018). Trees and Shrubs Mozambique Publishing Print Matters (Pty), Cape Town. Page 287. (Includes a picture). Drummond, R.B. (1972). A list of Rhodesian Legumes. Kirkia 8(2) Page 217. Drummond, R.B. (1975). A list of trees, shrubs and woody climbers indigenous or naturalised in Rhodesia. Kirkia 10(1) Page 247. Mackinder, B. et al. (2001). Papilionoideae Flora Zambesiaca 3(5) Pages 163 - 165. (Includes a picture). Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 46. Parker, T. (2023). Common Trees of Mozambique The Tree Press, Austin, Texas, USA Pages 212 - 213. (Includes a picture). Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 57.

Other sources of information about Cajanus cajan:

Our websites:

Flora of Malawi: Cajanus cajan
Flora of Malawi: cultivated Cajanus cajan
Flora of Mozambique: cultivated Cajanus cajan
Flora of Zambia: Cajanus cajan
Flora of Zambia: cultivated Cajanus cajan
Flora of Zimbabwe: Cajanus cajan
Flora of Zimbabwe: cultivated Cajanus cajan

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Cajanus cajan
African Plant Database: Cajanus cajan
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Cajanus cajan
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Cajanus cajan
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Cajanus cajan
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Cajanus cajan
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Cajanus cajan
JSTOR Plant Science: Cajanus cajan
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Cajanus cajan
Plants of the World Online: Cajanus cajan
Tropicos: Cajanus cajan
Wikipedia: Cajanus cajan