Clitoria Ternatea (Butterfly Pea) | 80 - 100 cm

Clitoria ternatea, also known as the butterfly pea. Here's a quick overview of this plant:

🌿 Clitoria ternatea (Butterfly Pea) Overview
Common Names:

Butterfly pea

Blue pea

Asian pigeonwings

Aparajita (in Hindi)

Shankhpushpi (in Ayurveda, though it's sometimes used for other herbs)

Scientific Classification:

Family: Fabaceae (Legume family)

Genus: Clitoria

Species: Clitoria ternatea

🌸 Description
Clitoria ternatea is a fast-growing, perennial herbaceous plant native to tropical Asia, but now found in many warm regions worldwide. It is best known for its vibrant blue (or sometimes white) flowers, which are shaped somewhat like a butterfly or a conch shell.

🌱 Uses
✅ Medicinal Uses (Traditional/Ayurvedic)
Acts as an adaptogen, helping the body resist stress.

Used for enhancing memory and brain function.

Contains antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and anxiolytic compounds.

Sometimes used in traditional medicine for treating fever, infections, and asthma.

🍵 Culinary Uses
Petals are used to make blue tea, which changes color when pH is altered (like adding lemon juice—turns purple).

Used as a natural food coloring in rice, desserts, and drinks in Southeast Asian cuisine.

🌼 Active Compounds
Anthocyanins (especially ternatins) – Responsible for the blue color.

Flavonoids, triterpenoids, and alkaloids – Contribute to the plant’s medicinal effects.

🌿 Growing Conditions
Prefers tropical and subtropical climates

Grows well in well-drained soil and full sun

Can be grown from seeds; commonly used as an ornamental vine or ground cover