AbstractCowpea mosaic virus was one of the viruses isolated fromCrotalaria junceashowing mosaic, distortion and puckering symptoms. The virus induced local necrotic lesions inCanavalia ensiformis, Cassia occidentalis, Nicotiana debneyi, N. occidentalis, N. repandaandN. sylvestrisand some cultivars ofPhaseolus vulgaris4–6 days after inoculation. It induced local chlorotic spots, which later became necrotic, as well as systemic chlorotic spots, vein chlorosis, distortionand puckering inChenopodium amaranticolor.Sap from systemically infected cowpea cv. ‘C20‐55’was infective after dilution to 10−5but not 10−6, after 10 min at 65°C but not 70°C, or after 4 days, but not 5 days, at a room temperature of 15–25°C. Infectious virus was recovered from fresh reproductive tissues of infected cowpea cvs ‘C20‐55’and ‘Ife Brown’ plants