August 5, 2025

Butterfly Pea (Clitoria mariana), a herbaceous, perennial vine up to three or four feet long. Though it is a vine, it generally stays close to the ground. Usually the plant has only one flower but on occasion it will have two or three blooms. Leaves are alternate, and trifoliate (divided into three leaflets). A member of the Pea (Fabaceae) family.

It’s native to the eastern (New York to Florida), southern (clear to Texas), and central United States (including Missouri and Iowa) west to New Mexico and Arizona, stretching into northern Mexico.

I had no idea this plant existed until I stumbled upon it while hiking. What a beautiful surprise.

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