Blue Pea Vine, Asian Pigeon Wings Easy Care Food Colour

Butterfly Pea, Blue Pea Vine, Pigeon Wings, Bunga Telang (Malay)

Clitoria ternatea

This plant is not the Australian Noxious Weed List.

A native of tropical and equatorial Asia, but has been introduced to Africa, Australia and the New World. It's introduction to Australia was for mine reclamation projects because it fixes nitrogen in the disturbed soil for revegetation work.

It is adaptable to most soils in a protected, sunny position but prefers neutral, moist soil in its native habitat. It dislikes both frost and drought.

A perennial plant. it grows to a height of 4.5 metres with a spread of 4 metres (13ft). The stem is slender and twining; the leaves are mid green and pinnate (having leaflets); and the leaflets are oblong to oval; the flowers are a bright bluish purple; the fruit are flat pods.

In Southeast Asia, the flowers are used to colour food. In Malay cooking, an aqueous extract is used to colour glutinous rice, while in Thailand they use the flowers to make a syrupy, blue drink.

All told, this vine has nine known common names, three in English and one each in Hindi, Marathi, Malay, Thai, Kannada and Malayalam.

Offered is a packet of 20 seeds with cultivation notes to assist you to successfully grow this South East Asian vine.

A flat postage rate of $1.20 applies, regardless of the number of purchases made, provided they are on a combined invoice.

Purchases over $50.00 on a combined invoice attracts free shipping.

INTERNATIONAL BUYERS. Airmail postage is a flat rate of $2.30, regardless of the number of purchases, provided purchases are on a combined invoice.  A Certificate of Origin is provided free of charge.

Any questions? Email me at grahame@olelantana.com

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