''Centrosema'', the butterfly peas, is a genus of (mainly tropical) American
vine
A vine (Latin ''vīnea'' "grapevine", "vineyard", from ''vīnum'' "wine") is any plant with a growth habit of trailing or scandent (that is, climbing) stems, lianas or runners. The word ''vine'' can also refer to such stems or runners themsel ...
s in the legume
family
Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...
(
Fabaceae).
Species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
include:
* ''
Centrosema angustifolium''
Benth.
* ''
Centrosema arenarium''
Benth.
* ''
Centrosema brasilianum''
(L.) Benth.
* ''
Centrosema dasyanthum''
Benth.
* ''
Centrosema macranthum''
Hoehne
* ''
Centrosema macrocarpum''
* ''
Centrosema plumerii''
(Turp. ex Pres.) Benth.
* ''
Centrosema pubescens''
Benth.
* ''
Centrosema sagittatum''
(Willd.) Brad.
* ''
Centrosema vexillatum''
Benth.
* ''
Centrosema virginianum''
Lepidopteran
caterpillars that feed on butterfly peas include the
two-barred flasher (''Astraptes fulgerator''), occasionally recorded on ''
C. macrocarpum'' and ''
C. plumieri'' at least.
[Hébert ''et al.'' (2004), Brower ''et al.'' (2006)]
Another plant referred to as butterfly pea from the same subtribe ''Clitoriinae'' is the related
Clitoria ternatea
''Clitoria ternatea'', commonly known as Asian pigeonwings, bluebellvine, blue pea, butterfly pea, cordofan pea or Darwin pea is a plant species belonging to the family Fabaceae, endemic and native to the Indonesian island of Ternate.
In India, ...
. However it doesn't belong to the genus Centrosema.
In Jamaica, it is known as Fee Fee and is usually seen at Christmas time. The flower is able to make a whistling sound hence children usually find it useful as a toy.
See also
*
Clitoria
''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines.
Taxonomy Naming of the genus
This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...
Footnotes
References
* Brower, Andrew V.Z. (2006): Problems with DNA barcodes for species delimitation: ‘ten species’ of ''Astraptes fulgerator'' reassessed (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae). ''Systematics and Biodiversity'' 4(2): 127–132.
PDF fulltext
* Hébert, Paul D.N.; Penton, Erin H.; Burns, John M.; Janzen, Daniel H. & Hallwachs, Winnie (2004): Ten species in one: DNA barcoding reveals cryptic species in the semitropical skipper butterfly ''Astraptes fulgerator''. '' PNAS'' 101(41): 14812–14817.
PDF fulltextSupporting Appendices
* United States Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the federal executive department responsible for developing and executing federal laws related to farming, forestry, rural economic development, and food. It aims to meet the needs of com ...
(USDA) (2007)
USDA Plants Profile: ''Centrosema''
Retrieved 2007-DEC-17.
Phaseoleae
Fabaceae genera
{{Phaseoleae-stub