The 'eye' can be other colors, purple or shades of red being common. The seeds are not tightly packed or 'crowded' in the pod and are kidney or oblong in shape. The immature seeds, when cooked, are a medium to dark brown, very tender, and have a delicate flavor. The seeds are 'crowded' in the pod, hence the name and also tend to be globular in shape. This is an intermediate between blackeye and crowder types.
Pods are stiff and the seeds tend to be small.
For crop breeding uses these various types may be crossed to give desired characteristics. For instance the southern pea varieties have used various blackeye, crowder, and cream types for this fresh green seed or green pod market. Some comparable data on variety yields comes from central Missouri, with yields with the better varieties ranging in yield from 800 to 1200 pounds per acre. Texas pinkeye was a good performer. Choice of market class, and approach to narrow or wide rows can affect which variety to choose.