Butterfly Pea

Butterfly Pea or Clitoria ternatea is a plant that is native to South/Southeast Asia. It is also known as Asian Pigeon wing and many other names throughout India. In the right climate it is a perennial herbaceous plant. It has a vine growth habit and grows best in well-draining moist soil with a neutral pH. Fruit pods are flat and approx. 5-7 cm in length and are edible when tender. Butterfly pea is in the same family as legumes, and has the same nitrogen fixing capabilities.


The flower can be used to infuse a rich blue color into foods and textiles. Butterfly pea flower tea has a deep blue color, but can change to a pink/purple color if an acid, such as lemon juice, is added to the tea. The flower is also used in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for various health purposes. In these ancient schools of medicine, it is used for memory enhancing, antistress, sedative, and countless other purposes.


The flowers and leaves are both, but are used in small quantities for coloring or medicine. Roots, bark & seeds also have some applications. The bean pods can be consumed like any other legume and can easily substitute for other similar type beans in a dish.

Latin Name: Clitoria ternatea

Planting Guidance: Plant seeds ¼” deep in seed starting soil. Keep seeds moist and covered and in partial shade until germinated. Once to an appropriate size they can be moved to full sun and perform best in full sun with consistent watering. They are known to flower within 11-12 weeks given the right conditions.

Approx. Seed Count:

• Retail Packet: 25-35 Seeds

Seed Treatment

Untreated

Genetics

Open Pollinated

Hindi Name: Koyala, Aparajita अपराजिता

Marathi Name: Shankha Pushpa शंख पुष्प

Gujrati Name: Garani

Kannada Name: Sattaga ಸಟ್ಟಗ, Shankha pushpa ಶಂಖಪುಷ್ಪಿ

Telugu Name: Sakha pushpamసఖా పుశ్పమ్

Tamil Name: Kakkanam

Bengali Name: Aprajita

Malayalam Name: Shankhapushpam സന്ഗ പുശ്പമ