Centrosema, commonly known as butterfly peas, is a genus of twining vines in the legume family Fabaceae, placed in the order Fabales. The genus comprises approximately 45 accepted species, all native to the tropical and subtropical Americas, with its range extending from the southern United States south to northern Argentina.
Members of Centrosema are climbing or trailing herbaceous to slightly woody vines typical of warm, humid environments. The common name "butterfly pea" reflects the distinctive papilionaceous (butterfly-shaped) flowers characteristic of the subfamily Faboideae. Centrosema shares this common name and the subtribe Clitoriinae with the closely related genus Clitoria, most notably Clitoria ternatea, though that species is a separate genus.
The genus has ecological significance as a food plant for lepidopteran larvae; the two-barred flasher butterfly (Astraptes fulgerator) is recorded feeding on at least C. macrocarpum and C. plumieri. Several species, including C. pubescens and C. macrocarpum, have been widely studied and used as tropical forage legumes and cover crops due to their nitrogen-fixing capacity and fast growth in disturbed habitats.
In Jamaica, Centrosema flowers are known locally as "Fee Fee" and have a folk use as a children's toy, as the flower structure can produce a whistling sound when manipulated.
Distribution
Centrosema is native to the tropical and subtropical Americas, ranging from the southern United States south to northern Argentina. All approximately 45 species are confined to this New World range.
Ecology
Species of Centrosema serve as larval host plants for the two-barred flasher butterfly (Astraptes fulgerator), which has been recorded feeding on C. macrocarpum and C. plumieri. As legumes, Centrosema species fix atmospheric nitrogen and are ecologically important in disturbed tropical habitats where they can colonise quickly as climbing vines.
Cultural Uses
In Jamaica, the flowers of Centrosema are known locally as "Fee Fee" and are traditionally used by children as a toy — the flower's structure allows it to produce a whistling sound. Several species, notably C. pubescens and C. macrocarpum, have been adopted internationally as tropical forage legumes and ground-cover crops.
