Texas Wildbuds
Clitoria mariana
(Pigeonwings)
Clitoria mariana, Bastrop State Park, Bastrop Co. 5582
Clitoria mariana, Bastrop State Park, Bastrop Co. 5587
| Scientific Name | Clitoria mariana | USDA PLANTS Symbol | CLMA4 |
| Common Name | Pigeonwings, Butterfly Pea | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 26542 |
| Family | Fabaceae (Pea) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Dry, rocky or sandy soils in open woods and thickets, stream banks, wooded hillsides, ravines and roadsides. Plant: Perennial vine, nearly erect to trailing or twining with slender stems, 8 to 40 inches long, smooth or sparsely pubescent. Leaves: Alternate, pinnately trifoliate on petioles 1-1/4 to 2-3/4 inches long; leaflets are ovate to lanceolate, 3/4 to 2-2/4 inches long and 3/8 to 1-5/8 inches wide, broadest near the base; the terminal leaflet is on a stalk 3/8 to 3/4-inch long, the laterals are sessile; margins are entire, and the surfaces are smooth or sparsely pubescent underneath. Inflorescence: One to three flowers in leaf axils, oriented horizontal or downward; flowers are large and pea-like, 1.6 to 2.8 inches long, pale blue or lavender with a large banner that is somewhat spoon-shaped with a purple center and darker purple lines and a whitish area nearer the edge, and much smaller wing petals and keel; the calyx is tubular, usually smooth, with 5 flaring teeth. Bloom Period: May to September. References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, Missouri Plants, Vascular Plants of North Carolina and Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2026
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