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Pea Flower: How to Grow and Uses

What is a butterfly pea flower?

The pea flower is a member of the genus Clitoria, species ternatea, family Fabaceae, and order Fabales. Clitoria ternatea is its scientific name. Numerous other names for it are also commonly used, such as Asian pigeonwings, Aparajita, Gokarna, blue pea, cordofan pea, and Darwin Pea. 

A soft to semi-hardwood green vine, the butterfly pea has a distinct fibrous root structure. It has fairly extensive roots.

Butterfly Pea flowers are annual plants with a one-year life cycle. They are a cool-season crop farmed all over the world, with planting times varying from early January to late spring. Natural nitrogen-fixing plants include Clitoria ternatea

Nutrients in butterfly pea flower

Nitrosomonas and other nitrogen-fixing bacteria are found in the nodes it creates in the roots. Recent studies have demonstrated that butterfly peas may enrich the soil with 15 to 22% natural phosphates, potassium, and sulphur, as well as 30 to 35% more nitrogen in just one year. For crop rotation, Butterfly pea flower plant can be an excellent substitute.

Pea flower:  Key facts

Species Name Clitoria ternatea
Family Name Fabaceae
Synonyms  Butterfly pea, Aparajita, Asian pigeonwings
Type  Vine 
Subfamily name  Faboideae
Height  3-4 feet tall
Environmental Impact Positive 
Maintenance  Low  
Best season for growth Winters 

see also: all about Clitoria Ternatea

Source: Pinterest

see also about: swiss cheese vine

Pea flower: Cultivation of pea flowers

How do you get pea flower soil ready?

Growing from seed

Growing from cuttings

Source: Pinterest

all about: what is flower bed

Pea flower: Care and maintenance

Climate and lighting

Feeding and watering

Transplanting and soil

 

Potential health benefits of butterfly pea flower

Historically, pea flower tea was thought to be a natural remedy for a variety of ailments, including fever, inflammation, arthritic pain caused by collagen degradation, and diabetes, to name a few.

Because of the presence of compounds such as p-coumarin acid and delphinidin glucoside, pea flowers are thought to have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. This plant and tea may also help to fight viruses and infections.

Clitoria ternatea may improve focus, memory, and other cognitive functions by raising acetylcholine levels in the brain, according to some animal studies.

Clitoria ternatea contains antioxidants that can protect the eyes from free radical damage caused by the sun, irritants, and the effects of a poor diet. It may also help increase blood flow to the eyes.

Pea flower, when applied topically, may be able to delay the appearance of early ageing symptoms on the skin, such as suppleness loss, fine wrinkles, and an uneven tone and texture.

Does butterfly pea flower have any side effects?

Butterfly pea flower when consumed in moderate levels are considered to be safe and not have any side effects. However, if there is an over indulgence of butterfly pea flower, there are chances that one may have side effects like diarrhoea, stomach ache, nausea etc.

How to use butterfly pea flower?

Butterfly pea flower when used as herbal tea gives a very good taste. To make herbal tea using butterfly pea flower, add in hot cup of water, one spoon of dried butterfly pea flowers and put a lid to the cup. After 5 minutes when the essence of the flower gets down the water, strain the flowers and drink the tea. The tea will have a blue colour to it.

Butterfly pea flower is also used in herbal cosmetics, mist, shampoos and face masks.

 

FAQs

Is it simple to grow pea flowers?

Pea flowers are relatively simple to grow as long as you provide adequate soil moisture and keep an eye out for pests and diseases. Crop rotation is essential to preventing pests and diseases from becoming a chronic problem in the soil.

How long does it take for pea flowers to grow?

The majority of pea flowers will be ready to harvest two months after planting. Some may even produce fruit earlier.

Do pea flowers reappear every year?

Since pea flowers are annuals, they only have one growing season. You can, however, save seeds for future plantings.

Is pea flower toxic to pets?

No, pea flower does not have any known toxic effects.

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