Moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia)

Moth bean, Vigna aconitifolia, is matki, a tiny, tough pulse of the Thar Desert and dry western India. It survives heat and drought that kill most other crops. Sprouted matki is the base of Maharashtrian usal and misal, and moth flour goes into the famous bhujia of Bikaner.

Botanical name: Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Maréchal
Family: Fabaceae
Tamil: Tulkapayaru
Hindi: Moth
Parts used: Seed, Sprouts
Habit: Matki; moth the insect is not a plant
Last updated: 2026-10-26

How to recognise Moth bean

It is a low, spreading, mat-forming annual with leaves of three deeply lobed, narrow leaflets, like the leaves of aconite, hence aconitifolia.

Small yellow pea-flowers grow in clusters.

The pods are small, cylindrical and hairy, holding tiny, oblong, brown to yellowish seeds.

It flowers about six weeks after sowing and matures in two to three months, which suits short desert rains.

It is smaller and finer-leaved than mung bean or cowpea.

Traditional use of Moth bean

Kitchen

Sprouted matki is cooked into usal and misal in Maharashtra. In Rajasthan moth is cooked as dal and ground into flour for bhujia and papad.

Western Indian food practice

Farming

In Rajasthan it is sown in sandy soils after the first rains, and the plants also provide fodder and ground cover.

Rajasthan farm practice

Modern notes on Moth bean

It is one of the most drought-tolerant pulses, and researchers study it for climate-resilient farming.

Sprouting increases its digestibility and vitamin content.

Moth flour is the main ingredient of Bikaneri bhujia, which carries a geographical indication tag.

Moth bean safety

Cook or sprout the seeds before eating. Raw sprouts can carry bacteria, so buy them fresh and keep them clean.

Ecology and sourcing

It is native to India and grown mainly in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Its spreading mat protects sandy soil from wind erosion.

It fixes nitrogen, improving poor desert soils.

Related plants

Also in Fabaceae

Questions about Moth bean

Is matki the same as moth bean?

Yes.

What older names does Vigna aconitifolia go by?

Phaseolus aconitifolius.

Why is Moth bean called moth?

From the Hindi name moth, not the insect.

Is Moth bean eaten sprouted?

Yes. Sprouted matki is a staple in Maharashtra.

Sources

Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.