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Central QLD Coast Landcare Network

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BUTTERFLY PEA (WEED)

Clitoria ternatea, Fam. Fabaceae


Twining perennial climber with minutely hairy stems to 5m long with woody rootstock.

Form or habit: Climbing or twining plant
Latex: Fabaceae
Leaf: Compound Alternate
Pinnate, 5-7 elliptic to rounded leaflets, 20-50 x 10-30mm, more-or-less glabrous above, sparsely hairy below. Persistent triangular stipules, 4-5mm long.
Flower conspicuous: Conspicuous
Flower colour: Blue or white, pale yellow at base
Flower description: Pea-shaped blue or white, pale yellow at base, up to 50mm long x 25mm wide, solitary or paired and borne on long axillary stems.
Fruit conspicuous: Conspicuous
Fruit colour: Brown
Fruit: Dry
Fruit description: Flattened light brown pods, 50-120 x 7-12mm, with a pointed tip, contain 5-10 seeds 3-7mm long. Environmental weed.
Habitat:
Distribution
Food source for:
Toxicity: No toxicity known
Origin: India, Tropical Asia
Weed: Yes
Weed status: Environmental/garden escapee
Notes: Spread by: Seeds in garden waste, possibly also spread by seeds in animal manure. Invades: Roadsides, canefields, natural areas, especially near human habitation. Notes: Garden escapee; now widely naturalised in Queensland. Palatable and nutritious to stock; pods eaten by humans in Philippines. Environmental weed.
Information sources: Mackay Regional Pest Management Group (2011) Weeds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region.

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