Moth bean

Moth bean
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Faboideae
Tribe:	Phaseoleae
Genus:	Vigna
Species:	V. aconitifolia
Binomial name
Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Marechal
Synonyms
Phaseolus aconitifolius Jacq.

Vigna aconitifolia, called the moth bean (pronounced "moat bean"), mat bean, Turkish gram or Matki/Mataki (मटकी) in Marathi, is a small, drought-resistant annual trailing herb with small yellow flowers and deeply lobed leaves, grown especially in dry parts of South Asia for its tiny (3-4 mm) edible beans, which range in color from light brown to dark reddish brown. The sprouted beans taste somewhat sweet.

Matki is very famous in Maharastrian cuisine. The beans are soaked overnight to make them sprout. These sprouted beans are used for Salad, Misal or Usal.

Vigna aconitifolia has been given the Trade Name 'Fibroplastyl' by cosmetics firm L'Oreal. In a letter to shareholders (see link below) dated March 2008 the firm expounded the supposed beauty benefits of the plant. To date, L'Oreal have not publicly named 'Fibroplastyl' as 'V aconitifolia', but will do so by email if queried.

External links

• Vigna aconitifolia (TSN 506271). Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
• Japanese MAFF Genebank (with photographs)
• [1]

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