Clitoria ternatea L.
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Description
Clitoria ternatea is a perennial herbaceous climber or twining vine, usually extending 1–3 m long. The stems are slender, green, branched, and often covered with fine hairs. Leaves are imparipinnate compound, arranged alternately, usually 5–15 cm long, with 5–9 elliptic to ovate leaflets. Leaflets are smooth to slightly hairy, with entire margins and rounded to pointed tips. Flowers are large, bisexual, and papilionaceous, occurring singly in leaf axils. The corolla is typically bright blue with a yellow or white central patch, although white and violet forms also occur. The standard petal is large and prominent, giving the flower a butterfly-like appearance. Fruits are linear, flattened pods, usually 5–12 cm long, containing several rounded seeds.
Diagnostic Characters
Distribution
Native range: Native to Tropical Asia. Cultivated and naturalized throughout Tropical Africa, Australia, Americas, Southeast Asia.
In Pakistan: Cultivated in Gardens, Botanical collections, Home landscapes. Also found naturalized in warm regions.
Phenology
Ethnobotany & Uses
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Where it grows on campus
Taxonomic Notes
Clitoria ternatea belongs to the tribe Phaseoleae of Fabaceae. It is easily recognized by its Large showy blue flowers, Twining habit, Pinnate leaves. The genus name Clitoria refers to the resemblance of the flower structure to female reproductive anatomy. UniFlora Field Recognition Tip 🌿. Look for 🌿 Twining vine.