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Glite Dictionary
Phaseolus aconitifolius

Phaseolus aconitifolius

9.9
A small Indian bean plant that people grow for food and to make soil better
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : frijol polilla
  • The pods of Phaseolus aconitifolius are commonly harvested for both human consumption and animal feed.

Examples

  • Research shows that Phaseolus aconitifolius can improve soil fertility when used as a cover crop.

  • Farmers often cultivate Phaseolus aconitifolius for its nutritious beans.

  • Farmers in arid regions often cultivate Phaseolus aconitifolius because of its drought resistance.

  • The Phaseolus aconitifolius is commonly grown in India.

  • Farmers in arid regions often cultivate Phaseolus aconitifolius because of its drought resistance.

  • Research shows that Phaseolus aconitifolius can improve soil fertility when used as a cover crop.

  • The pods of Phaseolus aconitifolius are commonly harvested for both human consumption and animal feed.

Synonyms

moth bean
vsPhaseolus aconitifolius
  • Indian
8.2

A small plant that makes edible seeds and grows well in hot, dry places

is the formal botanical name used in scientific contexts for the same plant
Vigna aconitifolia
vsPhaseolus aconitifolius
  • Specialized
9.9

A bean plant from India that grows in dry places and gives edible seeds and improves soil

is the alternative botanical name placed in a different genus for the same plant

Surface Forms

Phaseolus aconitifolius singular
Phaseolus aconitifolii plural

Morphology

Phaseolus + aconitifolius

This is a Linnaean binomial: 'Phaseolus' names the genus (beans), so a learner who knows that term can infer this refers to a kind of bean/legume. However, 'aconitifolius' is a Latin species epithet (not a standard English word and not listed in the dictionary) and does not transparently convey the specific identity 'moth bean' or the plant's features to a B1 learner, so the composition is only partially informative.

Etymology

Phaseolus aconitifolius comes from old Latin words: Phaseolus means 'bean' and aconitifolius means 'leaves like aconite', a different plant. So the name is simply 'the bean with aconite-like leaves', and that image helps you remember it is a small, hardy bean grown for food and to improve the soil.