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Centrosema, the butterfly peas,[2] is a genus of (mainly tropical) American vines in the legume family (Fabaceae). It includes 44 species, which range through the tropical and warm-temperate Americas from the southern United States to northern Argentina. Species include:[1]

Lepidopteran caterpillars that feed on butterfly peas include the two-barred flasher (Astraptes fulgerator), occasionally recorded on C. macrocarpum and C. plumieri at least.[3]

Another plant referred to as butterfly pea from the same subtribe Clitoriinae is the related Clitoria ternatea. However it doesn't belong to the genus Centrosema.

In Jamaica, it is known as Fee Fee and is usually seen at Christmas time. The flower is able to make a whistling sound hence children usually find it useful as a toy.[citation needed]

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b c Centrosema (DC.) Benth. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  2. ^ USDA (2007)
  3. ^ Hébert et al. (2004), Brower et al. (2006)

References


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