butterfly-pea

Centrosema molle is a climbing legume with three-lobed, velvety leaves and mauve-purple flowers featuring a spur on the standard petal. It produces linear, ribbed pods up to 17 cm long. The species is found in habitats such as forests, savannas, shrublands, and grasslands. It is used for environmental purposes, including soil improvement and ground cover, and provides forage for animals. The plant's distribution includes Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, the Caribbean, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Samoa. It was first described in 1837.