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Clitoria ternatea Fantz var. pleniflora
| Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
| Double Butterfly Pea, Double Blue Pea Vine, Double Asian Pigeonwings |
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Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division |
Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
| Plant Growth Form |
Climber, Vine & Liana, Shrub (Herbaceous, Woody) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) |
Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition |
Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape |
Irregular, Leggy |
| Maximum Height |
2 m to 5 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width |
1.5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Habitat |
Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone |
Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form |
A climbing legume with slender and twinning 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 large, deep blue, pea-shaped. Flowers are located on leaf axils. |
| Fruits |
Fruits are Fruits are flat dehiscent pods. brown, linear to oblong. Fruit splits open to release 6 - 10 black, oblong seeds. |
| Habitat |
Widely distributed throughout the tropics such as disturbed areas, riverine vegetation and grasslands. |
| Cultivation |
It is easily grown by seeds. Let pods dry on plant, before collecting seeds for sowing. Fast-growing, but may be attacked by aphids, resulting in plant defoliation. Plant prefers full sun but can tolerate slight semi-shade. |
| Etymology |
The genus Clitoria means clitoris, which refers to the flower shape.
The specific epithet ternatea means from Ternate, Maluku Islands, Indonesia.
Variety pleniflora means multi-petals, in reference to the flowers. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses |
Edible Plant Parts (Edible Flowers)
[Others]: Flowers are used as dye for colouring food such as Peranakan kueh and nasi kerabu. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping |
Grown on trellis for attractive purplish-blue flowers with multiple petals. |
| Desirable Plant Features |
Ornamental Flowers |
| Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance |
Fertile Loamy Soils, Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Landscape Uses |
General, Vertical Greenery / Green Wall, Small Gardens, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola, Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping |
Naturalistic Garden |
| SGMP Treatment |
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Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna |
Caterpillar Food Plant |
| Pollination Method(s) |
Biotic (Fauna) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal |
Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence) |
Species record last updated on: 16 May 2019.
