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Centrosema plumieri (Turpin ex Pers.) Benth.
| Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
| Synonyms: | Clitoria plumieri, Cruminium giganteum, Bradburya plumieri |
| Common Name: | Butterfly Pea, Marmelada, Gallito |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, Northern & Western South America |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Secondary Rainforest, Disturbed Area / Open Ground) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: Used as cover crop in rubber, coconut and oil palm plantations, until replaced by Centrosema pubescens. |
|---|
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Vertical Greenery / Green Wall |
| Thematic Landscaping | Naturalistic Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Drought Tolerant, Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Poor Infertile Soils, Shallow Media |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Velvety / Furry / Tomentose, Hairy / Hirsute, Raised / Sunken Veins |
| Foliar Modification | Foliar Tendril |
| Foliar Type | Compound (Trifoliate) |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) Remarks | Golden Greenish-Brown, Furry |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Herbaceous, Runner / Stolon |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple, White |
|---|---|
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Legume / Pod |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29161 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3470 |
| 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. |