Black Tephrosia (Tephrosia vogelii) from the Fabaceae family features small, flattened, disc-shaped seeds (3-5mm diameter) with dark black to deep brown coloration. This tropical legume germinate in 10-15 days, maturing in 150-180 days, growing 1-2.5m tall requiring 50-75cm spacing. Plant 1-2cm deep when temperatures reach 20°C in well-draining soil with pH 5.5-7.0. Tephrosia thrives in full sun, tolerates poor soils, drought, and requires minimal maintenance. The plant contains rotenone, making it valuable as a natural pesticide and fish poison. Harvest when pods turn brown and begin to split, yielding seeds that store 2-3 years. Primarily grown as a soil improver, green manure crop, and traditional medicine rather than for food consumption.