Cowpeas

Though these look pretty different, they're members of the same species and can interbreed.

Cowpeas

Scientific name: Vigna unguiculata unguiculata

Also called: black-eyed beans, black-eyed peas, cowpeas, cream peas, crowder peas, field peas

Plant type: bush or vine

Native to: West Africa

Parts eaten: young or mature seeds (cooked)

List of all Southern Pea varieties.

Yard-long Beans

Scientific name: Vigna unguiculata sesquipedalis

Also called: asparagus beans, long beans, snake beans, yardlong beans

Plant type: tropical vine

Native to: Africa

Parts eaten: young pods (cooked)

List of all Yard-long Bean varieties.