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Clitoria ternatea (Pale Blue)
Name
| Family Name |
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| Genus Epithet |
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| Species Epithet |
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| Infraspecific Epithet |
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| Name Status (botanical) |
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Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division |
Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
| Plant Growth Form |
Climber, Vine & Liana |
| 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. |
| Fruits |
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 |
| Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance |
Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Landscape Uses |
Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola, Skyrise / Balcony, Container Planting |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna |
Caterpillar Food 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 |
| 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 1 |
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 & Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) - Angiosperms and Gymnosperms |
Black, Brown |
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) |
Papery |
| Fruit Classification |
Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type 1 |
Dehiscent Dry Fruit |
| 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) |
Others
| Master ID |
78 |
| Species ID |
1374 |
Species record last updated on: 16 May 2019.
