Centrosema
Centrosema, the butterfly peas, is a genus of American vines in the legume family. Species include:
- Centrosema angustifolium Benth.
- Centrosema arenarium Benth.
- Centrosema brasilianum Benth.
- Centrosema dasyanthum Benth.
- Centrosema macranthum Hoehne
- Centrosema macrocarpum
- Centrosema plumerii Benth.
- Centrosema pubescens Benth.
- Centrosema sagittatum Brad.
- Centrosema vexillatum Benth.
- Centrosema virginianum
Lepidopteran caterpillars that feed on butterfly peas include the two-barred flasher, occasionally recorded on C. macrocarpum and C. plumieri at least.
Another plant referred to as butterfly pea from the same subtribe Clitoriinae is the related Clitoria ternatea. However it doesn't belong to the genus Centrosema.
In Jamaica, it is known as Fee Fee and is usually seen at Christmas time. The flower is able to make a whistling sound hence children usually find it useful as a toy.Footnotes
