Butterfly-pea (Centrosema virginianum, Comm. Legum. Gen.: 56 (1837))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: (L.) Benth.

Bibliography: Comm. Legum. Gen.: 56 (1837)

Year: 1837

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Centrosema

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. & E. U.S.A. to Trop. & Subtrop. America

Description

The Butterfly-pea, scientifically known as Centrosema virginianum, is an admired member of the Fabaceae family. Its graceful and vibrant flowers have captivated the attention of botanists and gardeners alike since its classification in the early 19th century, primarily documented in “Comm. Legum. Gen.: 56 (1837)” by the illustrious botanist (L.) Benth.

Native to the eastern and central regions of the United States, Butterfly-pea thrives in the diverse climates of tropical and subtropical America. This widespread distribution underscores the plant’s adaptability and resilience, allowing it to flourish in a variety of habitats.

The Butterfly-pea is particularly known for its twining growth habit, enabling it to elegantly blanket trellises, fences, and other structures with its lush foliage and exquisite blossoms. The flowers themselves are typically a striking blue or violet, featuring a unique shape that loosely resembles the wings of a butterfly, thus inspiring its common name.

In addition to its ornamental appeal, Centrosema virginianum plays an important ecological role. As a member of the Fabaceae family, it contributes to soil enrichment through nitrogen fixation, a process facilitated by symbiotic bacteria in its root nodules. This trait not only supports its own growth but also benefits surrounding plants by enhancing soil fertility.

Butterfly-pea also serves as a food source for various pollinators, including bees and butterflies, making it a valuable component of natural and landscaped ecosystems alike. Its presence in a garden can bolster local biodiversity, attracting a variety of beneficial insects that aid in the pollination of other plants.

In summary, the Butterfly-pea (Centrosema virginianum) is a striking and versatile plant with both aesthetic and ecological benefits. Its widespread occurrence from the United States to the tropical and subtropical regions of America highlights its adaptability and ecological significance, making it a treasured plant in both natural habitats and cultivated gardens.

Common Names

Eng: virginia centro, butterfly-pea, spurred butterfly pea, spurred butterfly-pea, blue bell, lady’s vulva
Spa: frijolillo
En: Butterfly-pea, Virginia centro, Spurred butterfly-pea, Spurred butterfly pea, BUTTERFLYPEA, Blue Bell, Lady’s Vulva, Coastal Butterfly-pea, Conchita de Virginia, Consuelo de los Caminantes, Feijao do Campo, Flor de Conchitas, Liane Violon, Papo de la Reina, Zapatito de la Reina, Blue wiss, Butterfly pea, Lady’s slipper, Wild pea
Fr: Centrosème de Virginie, Vaillant Garcon, Pois marron
Es: Frijolillo, Conchita de Virginia, Flor de Conchitas

Synonyms

• Clitoria amoena (Roth)
• Bradburya decumbens ((Mart. ex Benth.) Kuntze)
• Centrosema virginianum var. ellipticum ((DC.) Fernald)
• Centrosema virginianum var. genuinum (Stehlé & Quentin)
• Ternatea virginiana (J.St.-Hil.)
• Centrosema scabriusculum (Hassk.)
• Steganotropis conjugata (Lehm.)
• Clitoria alabamensis (Bertol.)
• Centrosema conjugatum ((Lehm.) Steud.)
• Bradburya conjugata ((Lehm.) Kuntze)
• Centrosema decumbens (Mart. ex Benth.)
• Nauchea virginiana ((L.) J.T.Descourt.)
• Bradburya biflora ((Mart. ex Benth.) Kuntze)
• Bradburya erecta (Raf.)
• Dolichos aristatus (L.)
• Clitoria virginiana (L.)
• Clitoria gladiata (Schrank)
• Clitoria oblonga (Hassk.)
• Cruminium virginianum ((L.) Britton)
• Clitoria gemina (Vell.)
• Dolichos scabriuscidus (Hassk.)
• Centrosema virginianum subsp. angustifolium ((Griseb.) Hadač)
• Clitoria virginiana var. ovata (DC.)
• Clitoria calcarigera (Salisb.)
• Centrosema virginianum var. angustifolium (Griseb.)
• Bradburya virginiana var. flavida (Kuntze)
• Bradburya virginiana ((L.) Kuntze)
• Centrosema biflorum (Mart. ex Benth.)
• Glycine pugiunculus (Desv.)
• Clitoria virginiana var. angustifolia (DC.)
• Bradburya virginiana var. angustifolia ((DC.) Kuntze)
• Clitoria virginiana var. elliptica (DC.)
• Vexillaria virginiana ((L.) Eaton)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Delaware (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Netherlands Antilles (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Southwest Caribbean (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Turks-Caicos Is. (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Gabon (introduced)
• Ghana (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Mar 2, 2019 by gadjet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 10, 2019 by Blue Bottle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 27, 2019 by Nicolas Trilles (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 30, 2021 by Querales Wladimir (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 19, 2011 by EOL − Mary Keim (cc-by-nc-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 1, 2015 by EOL − Katherine Thorington (cc-by-nc)

Taken Dec 17, 2015 by EOL − Bob O’Kennon (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 1, 2019 by Eli Small (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 21, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Anziz AHMED ABDOU (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 21, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 26, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 29, 2019 by Calvo-Rodríguez Alejandro (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2013 by EOL − Suzanne Cadwell (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 21, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Anziz AHMED ABDOU (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Feb 8, 2020 by claire Felloni (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2021 by Eli Small (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 12, 2022 by kilian pelon (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 16, 2020 by dan hewison (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 15, 2019 by Yves Demouy (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Más & Lugo-Torres (cc-by-nc-sa)

Sources

• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2964906)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:51897-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Centrosema virginianum (L.) Benth.)
• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)

Specifications

Growth habit: Vine, Forb/herb

Growth