Clitoria mariana

Common Names

Butterfly Pea, Atlantic Pigeonwings

Summary

Clitoria mariana, commonly known as Atlantic Pigeonwings or Butterfly Pea, is a climbing perennial vine in the Fabaceae native to much of the eastern, southern, and central United States, with a range from New York to Florida and west to Missouri and Texas. It grows as a slender, twining plant up to about 3–4 feet tall, with alternate leaves divided into three leaflets and large lavender-pink to blue flowers featuring a large rounded banner that rises behind the keel; flowers are borne singly or in small clusters of 1–3 from leaf axils, and the fruits are slender pods containing several seeds. It occurs in dry upland woods, barrens, rocky woodlands, and sandy soils and can fix nitrogen, with blooms typically from late spring through summer. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to partial shade and dry, well-drained soils, often sandy or loamy, and is drought-tolerant; it is suitable for native and pollinator plantings, ground cover, or trellised ornamentals. Propagation is by seed, with seeds often nicked or soaked before sowing; flowers bloom May–September and the plant serves as a larval host for the long-tailed skipper and attracts butterflies, moths, and birds.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3-4 feet

Spread

2-4 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 6a to 9b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full Sun; tolerates partial sun and partial shade.

Soil Type

Dry, well-drained sandy soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

5.5-8.5, No single ideal pH listed, Wide tolerance from acidic to alkaline soils

Bloom Color

Lavender

Bloom Time

Spring, Summer, and Fall.

Foliage Color

Dark green on the upper surface, lighter green beneath.

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Medium growth rate

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, moths, and birds