Clitoria mariana aka Butterfly Pea

Clitoria mariana is known as butterfly pea or Atlantic pigeonwings. This evergreen perennial vine belongs to the pea family, Fabaceae. Its native range covers the eastern and south-central United States. It extends west to New Mexico. It grows in dry, open woods and sandy or rocky woodland. Records also place it in southern Asia.

The plant forms dense, low growth close to the ground. Its stems trail more often than they climb. Some stems stand upright, while others recline or twine. They may branch near the base or remain unbranched. Green stems range from smooth to lightly hairy. The short hairs are fine and curved. Its growth rate is moderate, and its foliage has a fine texture.

The leaves grow alternately along the stems and have stalks. Each compound leaf has three leaflets, a form called trifoliate. Leaflets range from egg-shaped to narrow and pointed. Their edges are smooth, without teeth. Their upper sides are dark green and smooth. Beneath, they look pale gray-green and may have short hairs. The leaves stay on the plant through the year.

Flowers appear from May through September, giving a long bloom season. Their shades include pale lavender-blue, violet, pink, and white. Each flower has a broad, rounded standard with a notched tip. The keel and white petals are short. Stalks carry one to three flowers from the leaf axils. Small flowers that look like buds appear late in the season. The fruit is a flattened legume containing sticky seeds.

Light shade suits this vine, though it also tolerates full sun. It grows best in dry sand or loam with good drainage. It accepts poor soils and acid, neutral, or alkaline conditions. The plant can fix nitrogen in the soil. Its listed hardiness spans USDA zones 6 through 9. It needs little upkeep and tolerates dry soil. Garden uses include borders, hanging baskets, and woodland plantings. It also suits native and pollinator gardens. Butterflies, moths, and birds visit the plant. Long-tailed skipper caterpillars use it as a host. NC State lists no known diseases or insect pests. Yet competing plants or changes in land use can remove it from a site.