Atlantic pigeonwings
Clitoria mariana L.
Clitoria mariana is a perennial herb in the Fabaceae family, native to the United States and parts of Asia. It is commonly known as Atlantic pigeonwings and is characterized by its pea-like flowers. The species was first described by Linnaeus in 1753, with the type specimen later designated as a neotype due to the absence of original material.
Description
Clitoria mariana, a member of the Fabaceae family, is a herbaceous perennial plant found in the United States and regions of Asia such as China and Cambodia. It is known by the common names Atlantic pigeonwings and butterfly pea. Linnaeus first described the species in 1753, but no original material from the protologue remains. A neotype was later designated by Nguyen Van Thuan, selecting specimen 902.4 (LINN). The plant is distinguished by its delicate, pea-like flowers and is native to the southeastern U.S., with a distribution extending to parts of the Midwest and into Asia.
Other common names
butterfly-peaAtlantic pigeonwings
Distribution
Alabama · Arizona · Arkansas · Assam · Cambodia · China South-Central · China Southeast · Delaware · District of Columbia · East Himalaya · Florida · Georgia · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Mexico Northeast · Mexico Northwest · Mississippi · Myanmar · Nebraska · New Jersey · New York · North Carolina · Oklahoma · South Dakota
Synonyms
Clitoria marinaTernatea marianaVexillaria marianaMartiusia marianaNauchea marianaVexillaria mariana
