Vigna sesquipedalis

El nombre botánico del judión espárrago — una leguminosa trepadora vigorosa y amante del calor, originaria del Asia tropical, famosa por sus vainas de más de cuarenta centímetros.

Vigna sesquipedalis — the yardlong bean

Vigna sesquipedalis is the botanical name for the yardlong bean, also called the asparagus or snake bean — a vigorous, warm-climate climbing legume in the pea family (Fabaceae) famed for its extraordinarily long, slender pods. It is the species behind our yardlong beans within the wider vegetable collection. It is widely treated as a subspecies of the cowpea, and is also written Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis.

History & origin

The yardlong bean originated in tropical Asia, where it has long been a staple of South and Southeast Asian and southern Chinese cooking. A heat-loving relative of the cowpea, it is grown across the warmer parts of the world for its tender immature pods.

Its name is wonderfully literal: sesquipedalis is Latin for "a foot and a half long," a fair description of the dangling pods, while Vigna honours the 17th-century Italian botanist Dominico Vigna. The everyday names — yardlong, asparagus and snake bean — all describe the same remarkable pods.

Botanical characteristics

A twining annual climber, Vigna sesquipedalis bears typical trifoliate bean leaves and pretty pale-lilac flowers, followed by the famously long, pencil-thin pods that hang in pairs and can reach 40–60 cm or more. Unlike common green beans, it thrives in heat and humidity and keeps cropping through hot weather, with a distinctive nutty, slightly denser flavour and a firm, crunchy texture best enjoyed young.

Growing Vigna sesquipedalis from seed

This is a true heat-lover, so sow indoors in late spring and plant out only once it's reliably warm. Give the vigorous vines a tall, sturdy support, a sunny, sheltered position and steady moisture, and pick the pods young and often to keep them coming. In cooler climates, grow under glass for the warmth it craves. Our vegetable growing guide covers the essentials, and the vegetable sowing calendar shows the timing.

Ready to grow them? Browse the range or read up first.

Related categories: Yardlong Beans · Legumes · Climbing Beans · Peas · All Vegetables

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O que significa sesquipedalis?
É latim para "pé e meio de comprimento", uma descrição literal das longas vagens pendentes. O género Vigna homenageia o botânico italiano Dominico Vigna. O feijão-metro é um tipo de feijão-frade?
Sim — é um parente que aprecia o calor, amplamente classificado como subespécie e também escrito Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis. Em que difere do feijão-verde comum?
Desenvolve-se em calor e humidade, continua a produzir durante os períodos quentes e tem vagens muito mais longas, com um sabor mais avelãado e uma textura mais firme e crocante. Vigna sesquipedalis precisa de muito calor?
Sim — é uma verdadeira trepadeira tropical. Semeie em casa, plante ao exterior apenas quando o tempo estiver definitivamente quente e, em climas frescos, cultive-o sob vidro para obter as melhores colheitas.