Clitoria ternata ‘Blue’ – Blue Pea Vine seed x20

A native of tropical and equatorial Asia, but has been introduced to Africa, Australia and the New World. It’s introduction to Australia was for mine reclamation projects because it fixes nitrogen in the disturbed soil for revegetation work.

It is adaptable to most soils in a protected, sunny position but prefers neutral, moist soil in its native habitat. It dislikes both frost and drought.

A perennial plant. it grows to a height of 4.5 metres with a spread of 4 metres (13ft). The stem is slender and twining; the leaves are mid green and pinnate (having leaflets), and the leaflets are oblong to oval; the flowers are a bright bluish purple; the fruit is a flat pod.

In Southeast Asia, the flowers are used to colour food. In Malay cooking, an aqueous extract is used to colour glutinous rice, while in Thailand they use the flowers to make a syrupy, blue drink.

All told, this vine has nine known common names, three in English and one each in Hindi, Marathi, Malay, Thai, Kannada and Malayalam.