The blue flower petals of the Butterfly pea plant are widely popular for the preparation of herbal drinks in Southeast Asia. The Butterfly pea flower is considered an auspicious flower in India, which is used in puja rituals. Besides, there are many medicinal benefits of this perennial herbal plant. If you want to grow Butterfly pea in your home garden, read this article to know more about the soil, water and sunlight requirements and plant care tips.
Also read about the many uses of the Kesar plant
What is a butterfly pea flower?
butterfly pea flower is a deep-blue coloured flower of butterfly pea plant. The flower has yellow markings and are around 4 cm by 3 cm in size. Some plant varieties produce white flowers.
Butterfly pea is a plant species from the Fabaceae family, native to the Indonesian island of Ternate. In India, the butterfly pea flower is considered a holy flower, used in everyday puja rituals.
Butterfly pea: Quick facts
| Plant name | Butterfly pea |
| Scientific name | Clitoria ternatea |
| Common names | Bluebell vine, Blue Pea and Cordofan Pea |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Found in | Indonesia |
| Flower | Deep blue flowers with yellow markings |
| Foliage | Elliptical leaves |
| Benefits | Herbal tea |
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Butterfly pea: Description
- The herbaceous plant grows as a vine or a creeper
- It reaches a length of four centimetres and a width of three centimetres
- The plant produces blue flowers, while some varieties produce white flowers
- Fruits produced by the Butterfly pea plant are edible when tender
Butterfly pea flower tea
The Clitoria Ternatea plant finds its applications in modern medicine. It is well-known for its use in herbal tea preparation for centuries. The tea gets a peculiar deep blue tint owing to the colour of its petals.
In Thailand and Vietnam, butterfly blue pea tea is mixed with honey and lemon. This increases acidity and changes the beverage to a pink-purple colour.
Butterfly pea: Uses and health benefits
Dyes
The deep blue tint produced by the plant has been used as a dye for centuries.
Culinary uses
In Southeast Asia, it is used for colouring food items. It is also a popular ingredient in Burmese and Thai cuisines.
Medicinal uses
The plant is used in Ayurvedic medicine. It is known to have anti-inflammatory, anti-asthmatic, analgesic, antipyretic, anti-diabetic, anti-arthritic, anti-lipidemic, anti-oxidant, and wound-healing properties.
see also: all about Kesar Flower
Butterfly pea: Care
Butterfly pea grows well in tropical and subtropical regions.
- Soil: The plant requires moist and neutral soil for growth.
- Water: In its initial growing season, the plant needs regular watering. However, avoid
- Light: Keep the plant exposed to full sunlight.
Nutrients in butterfly pea flower
Butterfly pea flowers have good amount of anthocyanin compounds known as ternatins, which give the plant its vibrant colour. As per studies, ternatins help reduce inflammation and prevent cancer cell growth.
Moreover, the plant contains antioxidants such as:
- Kaemphferol used extensively for cancer-fighting properties
- p-Coumaric acid which has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral effects, to protect against disease.
- Delphinidin-3,5-glucoside that stimulate immune function and result in cell death in colorectal cancer cells.
FAQs
Is Butterfly pea flower poisonous?
The seeds and roots of the Butterfly pea flower plant are dangerous and may cause diarrhoea and nausea.
What are the problems when growing Butterfly pea?
The plant is prone to attack by common pests, such as caterpillars, spider mites and whiteflies. It can face diseases, such as anthracnose and bacterial soft rots.
What does butterfly pea taste like?
The butterfly pea tea tastes like green tea, with an earthy and woody flavour.
