Clitoria - Search results

Botanical name: Clitoria fairchildiana

Common names: Orchid Tree, Clitorea Tree, Philippine Pigeonwings

Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Faboideae

Origin: Brazil

This ornamental tree grows as a big tree with more than 20 ft in height or can be grown as a small, 10-20 ft tall tree, with regular water, in full sun or semi-shade exposures. Clitoria fairchildiana produces white, off-white, and lavender to purple colored flowers and is classified as an ethnomedical plant.

Clitoria fairchildiana attracts both butterflies and hummingbirds, making a great addition to any garden or landscape. Unlike many other plants, it does not require a lot of maintenance, so it is perfect for those who don't have much time for gardening.

The USDA Hardiness Zone is 9-11 so it can be grown in those parts of the United States. In cold regions, where temperatures fall below freezing for extended periods, Clitoria fairchildiana should be grown in a container, kept indoors during winter and moved outdoors during the summer months. Be sure to provide regular water, but avoid overwatering.

Clitoria fairchildiana is definitely a great addition to any garden, offering beautiful, fragrant flowers and minimal maintenance.

Botanical name: Clitoria ternatea

Common names: Butterfly Pea, Asian Pigeonwings

Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Faboideae

Origin: Tropical America

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

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Perfect vine! Blooms year-round, fast growing, easy, not invasive, controllable, not messy, curious bright blue flower - Clitoris-like flower shape, hence name of the plant. Fast-growing climber with fine foliage, pinnate leaves. Produces flat pods, up to 7" long, beaked, with about 5 flat rounded seeds. Species: C. ternatea, C. mariana.

Besides being a great ornamental, this plant has some practical and medicinal value. The seed pods are edible, as well as the flowers. The flowers are used for blue food dye for rice and teas. It is also a nitrogen fixer and helps prevent E-coli.

See article about healing properties of this plant: Blue Tea from the Magic Clitoria.

Botanical name: Centrosema sp.

Common name: Butterfly Pea

Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Faboideae

Origin: Tropical America

The Centrosema is a fast-growing climber with fine foliage, pinnate leaves, a great plant for attracting butterflies.

Another species, Clitoria, is similar but the latter has a tubular calyx that is much different from that of Centrosema.