The Gokarna flower plant, scientifically known as Clitoria ternatea, is a plant species that belongs to the flowering subspecies of the Fabaceae family, which also consist of the blue indigo plant and the peacock flower.
Also commonly known as the butterfly pea plant, this flowering plant is herbaceous and native to the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast India. Soon after its origin, this plant gained widespread popularity and soon started being grown in the USA, Australia, and Africa.
The species Clitoria ternatea gets its name from two very drastically different terms; ‘Clitoria’, which stems from the term ‘clitoris’, a female organ because of its appearance, and the term ‘ternatea’, which is derived from the name of the Moluccan Island of Ternate, from where this plant is believed to be found first. The Clitora ternatea also goes by a few other names like Asian pigeonwings, bluebellvine, cordofan pea and Darwin pea.
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see also about: blue flowers
Gokarna flower: Key facts
| Scientific name | Clitoria ternatea |
| Common name | Butterfly pea plant, Gokarna flower plant, Asian pigeonwings |
| Nativity | Tropical parts of India, Indonesia, Thailand. |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Plant type | Evergreen, perennial |
| Mature size | Height- 6-10ft.
Width- 2-3ft. |
| Sun exposure | Low sun, Partial shade |
| Soil type | Sandy |
| Soil pH | 6.6-7.5 |
See also about: aparajita plant
Gokarna flower: Physical description
The butterfly pea plant is an evergreen perennial plant that is also a vine. When mature, the leaves are deciduous and elliptical, are one to two in. long and are attached to climbing stems of one to nine ft. long.
The butterfly pea plant blooms large, vibrant purple flowers that are about one to three in. long. The Gokarna plant blooms between the early spring and the summer. The flowers bloom in an array of colours like mauve, blue, purple, and white. The flowers gain full bloom in the morning in an upside-down orientation. The flowers don’t hold any scent or flavour.
Gokarna flower: Growing the Gokarna plant
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If propagating through seeds, sow the butterfly pea plant seeds in a pot or a container with well-drained soil at the beginning of spring or before the last winter. Soak the seeds for three to four hours before planting for higher germination rates. The seed will sprout in about a week or two with moist soil.
In the method of propagating through cutting, the cuttings should be rooted in moist sand.
Gokarna flower: Maintenance
These vine plants love full sunlight but can make do with partial sunlight. The Gokarna flower plant can also tolerate cool and moist climatic conditions’ The butterfly pea plant grows well in temperatures of 66-82 degrees Fahrenheit and can survive in temperatures as low as 19 degrees Fahrenheit.
Water the Gokarna plant regularly in the first growing season to absorb nutrients present in the soil. The Gokarna plant is said to be drought tolerant during its growing phase, but once it matures, it needs small but regular amounts of irrigation in hotter climates.
One feature about the Gokarna that sets it apart is that it rarely needs to be fed fertilisers. Just feeding once or twice a year does the magic.
Plant the Gokarna in rich, well-drained, sandy soil with a pH between 6.6-7.5. Make sure the soil consists of organic matter and compost. Transplant the plant when the germinating seedlings have attained a height of around 6in., then place it in a slightly bigger pot with twice the depth as before.
The Gokarna plant grows vines that can be pruned whenever needed. Make sure you don’t go over water the plant and frequently prune it to prevent it from turning bushy. The pruning may consist of cutting off dead, damaged or withered parts of the plant.
The Clitoria ternatea is prone to be infested by spider mites and aphids that can feed and destroy the shrub. The application of neem oil can prevent infestation.
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To prevent caterpillars and grasshoppers, avoid overwatering or under-watering.
Gokarna flower: Uses and benefits
The butterfly pea plant is a widespread vine often used as an ornamental plant in fences and walls. Apart from this, the Gokarna plant is also considered to be an ayurvedic plant with various use cases. It is used as a nootropic, laxative, anticonvulsant and diuretic, apart from many other use cases.
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- The root extract of the Gokarna plant has been shown to enhance memory and learning power in rats.
- The leaves of the butterfly pea plant are also used to make tea, which contains helpful anthocyanins, cyclotides, and triterpenoids.
- The tea is also used in the treatment of ailments and consists of various nutrients like flavonol, glycosides, peptides, antioxidants and many more.
- The Gokarna plant is also used in beauty products to improve hair and skin quality and is also used as a food dye to be used in cakes, puddings etc.
FAQs
Can the Gokarna flower plant be potted?
Growing the Gokarna flower plant requires it to be potted in a container initially during its growing stage.
How is the butterfly pea plant used to make tea?
The dried-up leaves of the butterfly pea plant are used to brew a vibrant blue and coral-coloured tea that helps with a number of ailments.
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