
BREEDERS, GROWERS, DISTRIBUTORS 19 

COWPEAS 
Vigna sinensis 
The cowpea is native to Africa. Introduced to American agriculture as early as 
PAs; the South’s most important annual summer legume crop for food, feed, and soil 
improvement. The many varieties and types make this species more widely adapted 
to a greater diversity of Southern soils, seasons, and cultural conditions than any 
other summer legume. The cowpea is well adapted to soils low in lime and in 
oneal but well drained; growing best through periods of warm, moist to hot dry 
weather. 
The better grades of planting seed are grown in regions where season and climate 
are suitable for the production of good quality seed free from mold and weather 
stains. The varieties listed here are those in most general use throughout Texas and 
- the Southwest. 
The number of days given for each variety represents an average and is intended 
primarily for purposes of comparison. 
FOR FIELD USE 
BRABHAM (Bush) 
Originated as a natural cross between Iron and Whippoorwill, retaining the 
former’s resistance to wilt and nematodes. A widely adapted variety, used for 
hay, grazing and soil improvement. Plants tall, semi-bushy; pods long, held high; 
seed similar to Whippoorwill but somewhat smaller. 90 days 
CHINESE RED 
Widely adapted and extensively used in Texas for soil improvement, due to 
quick growth and early maturity. May be combine harvested, and because of 
early maturity two crops are frequently produced in one season. Plants dwarf, 
erect, of uniform maturity; pods small, round, held high. Seed very small, hard, 
round, pale red to red. 70 days 
IRON 
An old, early established variety, highly resistant to wilt and root-knot disease. 
Well adapted for combine harvesting. Plants upright, semi-bushy, not so prolific 
in seed yield as other sorts; pods held high, seeds small, cream buff to brownish 
and very hard. 95 days 
NEW ERA (Bluewhip) 
One of the more important commercial hay and soil building sorts. Produces a 
high seed yield. Suitable for combine harvesting. Plants tall, erect, bushy, very 
prolific; pods held high; seed small, buff, uniformly speckled with blue. 80 days 
WHIPPOORWILL 
One of the oldest varieties and most commonly grown for high yield of hay, for 
grazing and soil building. Well adapted to clay soils for early and late planting. 
Plants tall, vining, vigorous; pods long, held high; seed buff-brown and aati 
ays 

Cowpeas: Valuable for soil improvement as well as the crop 
