Centrosema

Centrosema, the butterfly peas,[1] is a genus of (mainly tropical) American vines in the legume family (Fabaceae). Species 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

Butterfly peas
Centrosema pubescens
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Rosids
Order:
Fabales
Family:
Fabaceae
Subfamily:
Faboideae
Tribe:
Phaseoleae
Subtribe:
Clitoriinae
Genus:
Centrosema

(DC.) Benth.
Type species
Centrosema brasilianum
(L.) Benth. 1837
Species

Several, see text.

Synonyms
  • Platysema Benth.
  • Steganotropis Lehm.

Lepidopteran caterpillars that feed on butterfly peas include the two-barred flasher (Astraptes fulgerator), occasionally recorded on C. macrocarpum and C. plumieri at least.[2]

Another plant referred to as butterfly pea from the same subtribe Clitoriinae is the related Clitoria ternatea. 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

Footnotes
  1. USDA (2007)
  2. Hébert et al. (2004), Brower et al. (2006)

References


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