Centrosema virginianum (L.) Benth.

Spurred Butterfly Pea

Vine

Perennial

Vascular

Spurred Butterfly Pea is a native twining herbaceous perennial in the Bean family (Fabaceae). It occurs statewide in Alabama, although it is uncommon in northwest Alabama. Spurred Butterfly Pea occurs in mesic to dry pine or mixed pine-hardwood forests, in sand hills, in disturbed woodlands, in cedar glades, and on roadsides. It is a short-lived perennial with several stems arising from thicken roots. The stems are weak and climb by twining. Stems are commonly 6-8 feet long. Stems are green in color, and pubescent. Leaves are alternate and trifoliate. The leaflets are ovate to elliptic in outline, short pubescent, and reticulate. Flowers are produced in short racemes of 1-4 flowers from the axils of the leaves. The calyx is deeply five-lobed with the lobes longer than the tube. The corolla is deep purple to pale blue in color with a white spot on the standard petal. The fruit is a legume with 4-10 seed. Spurred Butterfly Pea is sometimes available form wildflower nurseries. It is also easily grown from seed. Spurred Butterfly Pea prefers well-draining soil in full sun. It will require a trellis or fence on which to climb. Spurred Butterfly Pea is the larval food plant for Long-tailed (Urbanus proteus) and Northerrn Cloudywing (Thorybes pylades) Skippers. The seed are eaten by a variety of birds including Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus).--A. Diamond

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Native

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