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Clitoria ternatea (Voigt) Fantz f. albiflora
| Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
| Synonyms: | Clitoria ternatea var. albiflora |
| Common Name: | White Butterfly Pea Vine |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
| Maximum Height | 1.2 m to 5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Caribbean, Cuba, India |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a slender climbing legume with short, soft hairs on the stem. It has deep roots and ornamental flowers. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its stalked, alternately-arranged leaves are pinnate with 5-7 elliptic or ovate leaflets. Each leaflet is thinly papery, and measuring 2.5-5 cm long and 1.5-3.5 cm wide. |
| Flowers | Its solitary flowers bloom in white colours, pea-shaped, 4 cm by 3 cm, single or paired, standard obovate, notched or rounded at apex. |
| Fruit | Its fruits are linear-oblong pods, 5-11 cm long and 0.7-1 cm wide, with a long pointed tip. |
| Habitat | It is cultivated in gardens and sometimes seen growing wild in disturbed, open spaces. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed. The plant prefers full sunlight to semi-shade, and is adapted to a wide range of soil conditions, from sands to heavy clay with moderate fertility. Roots are deep rooted which fix nitrogen, thus, improving the quality of the soil. |
| Etymology | The genus Clitoria means clitoris, which refers to the flower parts. The specific epithet ternatea means from Ternate, Maluku Islands, Indonesia. Forma albiflora means white-flowered. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is suitable for growing in parks and gardens, on trellises, pergolas or fences for its attractive white flowers, apart from the usual blue flowers. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
| Landscape Uses | Vertical Greenery / Green Wall, Container Planting, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola |
| Thematic Landscaping | Moonlight Garden, Naturalistic Garden |
| Plant & Rootzone Preference or Tolerance Remarks | pH 6.6 to 7.5 |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Butterfly Host 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 | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Moist Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Potential Problems | No serious pest or disease problems. Aphids can cause severe defoliation & poor general health. |
| Pest(s) | Sucking Insects |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
| Propagation Method Remarks | Allow seed pods to mature & dry on plant before collecting them. |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Thin, Papery |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Smooth, Papery, Thin |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oval, Ovate, Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Obtuse |
| Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse |
| Typical Foliar Area | Microphyll ( 2.25cm2 - 20.25 cm2 ) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Herbaceous |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Individual Flower Shape | Papilionaceous / Pea-shaped |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Black |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Legume / Pod |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Black |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Moderate (6-10) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 79 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1375 |
| 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. |
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