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Centrosema virginianum
Centrosema virginianum (L.) Benth.
Spurred Butterfly Pea, Butterfly Pea
Fabaceae (Pea Family)
Synonym(s): Bradburya virginiana, Centrosema virginianum var. ellipticum
USDA Symbol: CEVI2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), PR (N), VI (N)
Trailing or twining vine with violet flowers, single or in clusters of 2-4 in the axils of compound leaves.
The flowers of this delicate showy vine are recognized by their "upside-down" position. Sand Butterfly-pea (C. arenicola) has ovate leaflets indented at the base; Florida Butterfly-pea (C. floridana), with oval to lanceolate leaflets up to 3" (7.5 cm) long, occurs in the pinewoods of Florida.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Vine
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Fruit Type: Legume
Size Notes: Climber, twining stems up to about 12 feet long. Sprawls on ground when no support is available.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Pink , Blue , PurpleBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , DE , FL , GA , IL , KY , LA , MD , MO , MS , NC , NJ , OK , SC , TN , TX , VANative Distribution: New Jersey south to Florida; west to Texas; north to Arkansas.
Native Habitat: Acid soils, sandy woodlands, and fields.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part Shade , ShadeSoil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesAttracts: Butterflies
Nectar Source: yes
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Wildflower Center Seed Bank
LBJWC-1114 Collected 2007-09-17 in Harrison County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterBibliography
Bibref 328 - Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.Search More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resources
USDA: Find Centrosema virginianum in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Centrosema virginianum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Centrosema virginianum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-10-17Research By: TWC Staff