Clitoria ternatea, commonly known as butterfly pea, is a perennial herbaceous plant, with elliptic, obtuse leaves. It is a plant species belonging to the family Fabaceae which is commonly known as the legume, pea, or bean family.
This plant is native to equatorial Asia. It grows as a vine or creeper.
However, they can be 'trained' to climb up structures. Construct a nice structure and the plant will provide shades for you.
The fruits are long, flat pods with six to ten seeds in each pod. They can be seen at the lower hand corner. They resemble Holland peas, and are edible when tender.
Butter pea is grown as an ornamental plant, requiring little care when cultivated.
The colour of flower has made the it a popular dye, and it is also used as a natural food colouring to colour desserts. In some places, the flowers are also dipped in batter and fried.
The flowers can also be made into tea. Butterfly pea flower tea, commonly known as Blue Tea is a caffeine free herbal tea, or beverage made from a decoction or infusion of the flower petals or even whole flower. Butterfly pea flower tea gains its distinctive tint from the deep blue colour of the petals.
Apparently, in India, Butterfly pea is revered as a holy flower, used in daily puja rituals.
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