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Native Plant Database

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Clitoria mariana (Atlantic pigeonwings)
Bloodworth, Stefan

Clitoria mariana L.

Atlantic pigeonwings, Butterfly Pea

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

USDA Symbol: clma4

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Twining vine, occasionally erect, with large, showy, lavender-pink, pea-like flowers, usually solitary but occasionally up to 3, in the axils of compound leaves.

This plant is often confused with Spurred Butterfly Pea (Centrosema virginianum), which has upside-down flowers, the banner pointing downward, while that of Clitoria stands erect.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Vine
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Size Notes: 3-4
Fruit:

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Blue
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , AZ , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MO , MS , NC , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV
Native Distribution: New York south to Florida; west to Texas and beyond; north to Missouri and Iowa.
Native Habitat: Dry soil, open woods, and thickets.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Sandy

Benefit

Attracts: Birds

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Clitoria mariana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Clitoria mariana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Clitoria mariana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-03-10
Research By: TWC Staff

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