Pigeon Pea.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien

Facile

Type de plante

Perennial shrub

Lumière

Full sun

Lumière en intérieur

Soleil direct

Arrosage

Tous les 7 à 14 jours

Taille adulte

3 to 12 feet

Croissance

Rapide

Rusticité

USDA 9 à 12

Floraison

Late summer to autumn

Entretien

Plant this shrub in a spot that gets plenty of sun and has well draining soil. Keep an eye out for yellowing leaves, which might mean the soil is staying too wet. It is a tough plant that handles heat well.

Arrosage

Water deeply once the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch.

Engrais

Apply a balanced fertilizer sparingly since this plant fixes its own nitrogen.

Taille

Trim back the branches after harvest to keep the plant bushy and productive.

Rempotage

Repot only if you are growing it in a container, otherwise it prefers being in the ground.

Sol

Well draining sandy or loamy soil

pH du sol

5.0 to 7.0

Température

15 à 35°C

Humidité

40 à 70%

Résistance à la sécheresse

Élevée

Durée de vie

Short-lived perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.

Parfum

Léger

Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins

Moyenne

Sécurité

Humains

The raw seeds contain compounds that can cause digestive distress if eaten in large quantities.

Enfants

The pods and seeds are not inherently dangerous, but they should be kept away from small children to prevent choking.

Allergènes de contact

The fine hairs on the pods may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Allergènes aéroportés

Pollen from the flowers can trigger seasonal allergies in some people.

Comestibilité

Pigeon peas must be cooked thoroughly before consumption to neutralize anti-nutritional factors.

Comment l'identifier

• Trifoliate leaves with silvery undersides
• Yellow flowers with red streaks
• Flat pods containing rounded seeds
• Woody stems on mature plants

Hauteur

1 à 3m

Envergure

0,5 à 1,5m

Feuilles

green, grey-green, semi-evergreen

Fleurs

yellow, red, 1 à 2cm

Fruits

green, brown, purple, Autumn to winter

Problèmes courants

• Pod borer — Larvae tunnel into the developing pods and consume the seeds.
• Fusarium wilt — A soil-borne fungus that causes yellowing and wilting of the foliage.

La cultiver

Multiplication

seed

Quand planter

spring, early summer

Hivernage

In cooler climates, treat as an annual or bring pots indoors before the first frost. Protect from freezing temperatures to maintain the shrub structure.

En pot

It grows well in containers at least 40 centimeters deep.

Plant pigeon peas alongside heavy feeders to naturally boost soil fertility.

Bonnes associations

• Maïs — Pigeon peas fix nitrogen that benefits the nitrogen-hungry maize.
• Sorghum — They make an excellent intercropping pair for soil health.

Espèces similaires

• Yardlong Bean — Another legume that serves similar roles as a cover crop.

Science

Famille

Fabaceae

Genre

Cajanus

Ordre

Fabales

Classe

Magnoliopsida

Région d'origine

Likely India or Africa, now pantropical.

Préservation

This species is widely cultivated and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in poor soils by forming a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Intérêt pour la faune

nectar source, nitrogen fixing

Pollinisateurs

abeilles, papillons

Utilisations

culinary legume, cover crop, green manure, ornamental shrub

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Can I grow pigeon peas in a pot?

Yes, they grow well in large containers if provided with full sun and good drainage.

How do I know when to harvest?

Harvest the pods when they are full and plump but still green for fresh use.

D'où vient le nom

The name Cajanus comes from the Malay word 'katjang' for bean, while the common name pigeon pea refers to its historical use as feed for pigeons.

Bon à savoir

• Pigeon peas are one of the most important pulse crops in the tropics.
• The plant is highly drought tolerant once established.
• It is a perennial shrub that is often grown as an annual.
• The leaves are sometimes used as fodder for livestock.

Aussi dans

• Plantes résistantes à la sécheresse