Butterfly pea
Butterfly pea
Scientific name: Clitoris ternatea L.
Local/Bangla name: Aprajita
Taxonomic Position according to Cronquist (1981)
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Magnoliophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Subclass | Rosidae |
| Order | Fabales |
| Family | Fabacaeae |
| Genus | Clitoris |
| Species | C. ternate |
Botanical Description of Butterfly Pea
Habit: A perennial twining herb.
Root: Tap root system
Stem: Tertrete more or less pubesent
Leaf: Pinnately compound, imparipinnate
Inflorescence: axillary, solitary
Flower: Papilionaceous, hermaphrodite
Calyx: campanulate, oblique, teeth triangular
Corolla: Standard, wing and keel; standard is blue or white in color.
Androecium: Stamens 10, diadephous i.e. 9+1
Gynoecium: Carpel 1, ovary superior, hairy
Fruit: Legume
Economic Importance: The plant is used as ornamental and medicinal purposes.