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 or moist sandy soils along shaded creek banks, low places, thickets and open woodlands. Plant: Climbing perennial vine with simple or somewaht branched, 6-sided stems, reddish brown, up to 20 feet long. Leaves: Bright green opposite stem leaves each with 3 to 4 pairs of leaflets that are deeply incised into 2 to 5 lobes or are trifoliate; lower leaflets 1-3/4 to 4 inches long; upper becoming smaller with a wide variation in size and shape. Inflorescence: Clusters of one or more urn-shaped, drooping blossoms, up to 1-3/8 inches long with 4 pale to dark bluish or reddish purple sepals, sometimes whitish toward tip, curled back at tips; no petals; on long peduncles from leaf axils. Male and female flowers on separate plants. Bloom Period: April to September. References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, "Wildflowers of Texas" by Geyata Ajilvsgi, "Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country" by Marshall Enquist and Flora of North America. |
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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