Asian pigeon wings (Clitoria ternatea), commonly known by many other names like, bluebellvine, blue pea, butterfly pea, and Darwin pea, is another climber plant belonging to the family Fabaceae.
๐ฟIt is a perennial herbaceous plant, with compound leaves having elliptic leaflets.
๐ฟIt grows as a vine or creeper, doing well in moist, neutral soil.
๐ซ The most striking feature about this plant is the color of its flowers, a vivid deep blue, with light yellow markings. Some varieties yield pale blue or white flowers.
๐ฟThe fruits are 5–7 cm long, flat pods with six to ten seeds in each pod. They are edible when tender.
๐ซ๐ฟIt is grown as an ornamental plant requiring little care when cultivated. Being a legume, its roots form a symbiotic association with soil bacteria known as rhizobia, which transform atmospheric N2 into a plant-usable form (a process called nitrogen fixing), therefore, this plant is also used to improve soil quality through the decomposition of nitrogen rich plant material.
๐ฟIn Southeast Asia, the flower is used as a natural food colouring
In Burmese and Thai cuisines, the flowers are also dipped in batter and fried.
๐ซ๐ฟButterfly pea flower tea is made from the ternatea flowers, this tea is commonly mixed with honey and lemon to increase acidity and turn the beverage a pink-purple color, to produce for a drink usually served after dinner, or as a refreshment.The tea is found in both hot and cold varieties
๐ซ๐ฟIn traditional Ayurvedic medicine, it is ascribed various qualities including memory enhancing, nootropic, antistress, anxiolytic, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, tranquilizing, and sedative properties.
๐ฟ In traditional Chinese medicine, its extract is used for its ability to reduce intensity of behavior caused by serotonin and acetylcholine.
๐ฟThe flower can be used to dye natural fibers.
๐๐ฟ In India, it is revered as a holy flower, used in daily puja rituals.
ClitoraTernatea
Blue Pea Flower
Reference
Plant of Singapore
