The Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) is an African pulse whose pods ripen underground, like the peanut — a hardy, drought-tolerant legume grown across the semi-arid savanna for its protein- and carbohydrate-rich seeds. Often called a "complete food" because the seed carries a good balance of protein, carbohydrate and oil, it is boiled, roasted or milled into flour, and is one of the most important indigenous grain legumes of sub-Saharan Africa after cowpea and groundnut.