Naming
The genus "Vigna" is named for Dominico Vigna, an Italian doctor and horticulturalist who was a professor of botany at the University of Pisa; he died in 1647. The specific epithet ""marina"", from the Latin word for "sea", refers to the plant's coastal habitat.In Hawaii, this plant is known by various names, including:"Vigna marina" is one of three species of "Vigna" native to the Hawaiian Islands. One of the others, "Vigna adenantha", also known as "wild pea", was formerly found on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island but was last reported in the 1850s. "Vigna o-wahuensis" is a rare species endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and is considered endangered.
"Vigna marina" is a close relative of other "Vigna" species that are grown as crops worldwide. These include:
⤷ "Vigna angularis" - azuki bean
⤷ "Vigna mungo" - urad bean or black gram
⤷ "Vigna umbellata" - rice bean
⤷ "Vigna radiata" - mung bean
⤷ "Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis" - yardlong bean or Chinese long bean
⤷ "Vigna unguiculata spp. dekindtiana" - black-eyed pea
Distribution
This species is salt-tolerant and is found on tropical beaches around the world, such as those in Hawaii and on various islands in the Pacific Ocean, Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands, the coast of Bahia, Brazil, the Atlantic and Indian coasts of Africa, Madagascar, the Seychelles, India and Sri Lanka, Indo-China and the Chinese island of Hainan, Malesia, and along the Australian coast in Queensland and the Northern Territory.Habitat
"Vigna marina" grows at the vegetation line on sandy beaches, frontal dunes, and beach ridges near the seashore. Rarely, it occurs on inland sea cliffs and dry slopes among shrubs up to approximately 395 feet above the sea.Uses
As a treatment to help heal wounds such as boils, running sore, or ulcers, early Hawaiians ground the leaves, stalks, midribs, and stems of the plant, and applied the softened materials directly onto the affected area.As is the case in many pea species, "Vigna marina" is able to fix nitrogen from the air around it roots. This is done by microorganisms on the nodules of the roots. The resultant nitrogen is used by the plant, and also increases the nitrogen content in the surrounding sand. This helps other plants in the vicinity to grow.
"Vigna marina" can prevent coastal erosion.
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