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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Irregular, Leggy |
Biogeography
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
|---|---|
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a slender, climbing legume with soft hairs on stems. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are compound pinnate, alternately arranged along the stem, with 5 - 7 elliptic to ovate leaflets, measuring 2.5 - 5 cm long and 1.5 - 3.5 cm wide. Each leaflet is thinly papery. |
| Flowers | Flowers are solitary, pale blue to light purple, pea-shaped. |
| Fruit | Fruits are seedpod, flattened, oblong shaped, splits open to release 8 - 10 seeds. |
| Habitat | Found in disturbed areas, riverine vegetation and grasslands. |
| Cultivation | Easy to grow. Sow seeds in a well-drained soil, with moderate watering. Requires support to assist plant in climbing. |
| Etymology | The genus Clitoria means clitoris, which refers to the flower shape. The specific epithet ternatea means from Ternate, Maluku Islands, Indonesia. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Agriculture - Forestry: Plant can be used as leguminous mulch and green manure. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | Plant is grown on supports, such as trellis or pergola with numerous purple to pale blue flowers all-year round. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola, Skyrise / Balcony, Container Planting |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Butterfly Host Plant |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Potential Problems | No serious insect or disease problems. Leaf-eating caterpillars and whiteflies may appear. |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Papery |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Papery |
| Foliar Modification | Foliar Tendril |
| Foliar Type | Compound |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Obtuse |
| Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Blue, Purple |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Individual Flower Shape | Papilionaceous / Pea-shaped |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Opening Time | Daytime |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Black, Brown |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Papery |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Black, Brown |
| Mature Seed Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny |
| Seed Description | Seeds are usually 8 to 11 in a pod, olive brown to almost black, shiny. |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Moderate (6-10) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 78 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1374 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
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