The seedpods are densely covered in a combination of short and long hairs and are typically a dark purple colour, containing anywhere from 1-7 seeds.

In tropical Asia it is native to Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines.

[6] In Asia, C. scarabaeoides is the most commonly disbursed wild species of Cajanus and can be found in abundance Taiwan and in the Chinese provinces of Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxim Guangdong, Hainan and Fuijan.

[8] C. scarabaeoides occurs naturally in the wild, and can be found in open grassland and dry vegetation areas and in deciduous forests.

It is typically found where there is a decent amount of sunlight, and populations tend to dwindle in dark bush areas or dense forests.

[2][9] If C. scarabaeoides can be crossed with pigeonpea cultivars for this desirable trait, farmers can reduce harvest time and increase overall yield.

With the world's changing climate, this trait is useful to improve the long-term sustainability of the pigeonpea crop[9] In China, C. scarabaeoides is sometimes used as fodder, and has shown to be effective in reducing diarrhea in cattle.

In addition, the leaves of the plant species have been used to improve indigestion in traditional medicines as well as limit the excessive production of urine.

[8] Within the Cajanus species, the pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera, is a major constraint that limits crop productivity.

[9] There is significant evidence showing that these species have different mechanisms than that of the cultivated types, all of which limit the ability for H. armigera to thrive on the plant.

[4] For scientists, breeders, and subsistence farmers, identifying these mechanisms can improve host plant resistance in cultivated types and reduce economic losses.

[4] The high density of short, nonglandular and glandular trichomes on C. scarabaeoides act as a barrier against the young larvae of H. armigera.

[10] H. armigera lays 80% of its eggs on the pod surface of Cajanus species, so possessing type C and B trichomes is extremely beneficial in contributing to larval mortality.

[13] For what is typically a low value and easy to manage crop, identifying resistant cultivars and their genotypic traits can bring significant economic benefits for poor, subsistence farmers [10].

[13] Improving the diversity of traits in Cajanus species can be favourable to farmers who face challenges of drought and have crops susceptible to pests[4]