Bisbee Black Cow Pea

Vigna unguiculata.  We received these seeds from a gentleman in Southern Arizona who had previously received them from Native Seed/SEARCH.  The story shared on the Native Seed/SEARCH website is: "Original seeds came from a Native American in Bisbee, AZ, who gave them to a truck driver, who passed them on to James Cowan, an NS/S member in Missouri."

The plant is drought and heat tolerant, and can self seed if you don't collect all the seed pods. Not that we are complaining. This variety, along with the beautiful red cow peas (not available in 2026), are a welcome addition to the farm every year.  You cook them like beans and are a good addition to soups, stews and southern dishes.

The cow peas are all black, but occasionally has a purple and black color. 6 grams