Family: Fabaceae
Clitoria ternatea (butterfly pea, blue pea) is a slender climbing legume with an uncertain native range, likely in the Neotropical regions. Presently, it thrives in pantropical areas and is frequently cultivated as an ornamental plant. The plant serves the purpose of adding a blue hue to teas, where the flower’s color infuses into the drink. Its naturalization has been documented in various regions, including Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands, the Americas, and South-East Asia. In Hawaii, it has successfully naturalized on islands such as Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, Lanaʻi, and Maui. It was first found to have naturalized in Hawaiʻi in 1871. While Clitoria ternatea demonstrates robust growth with minimal care, its aggressive tendencies can lead to the suppression of other vegetation. In the Hawaiian Islands, it is appreciated for its value as a fodder crop and ornamental plant, with no reported detrimental impacts on natural areas or agriculture.
High Risk Traits:
- Broad climate suitability and elevation range
- Thrives in tropical climates
- Naturalized on Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, Lanaʻi, and Maui (Hawaiian Islands) and widely naturalized elsewhere
- A weed of disturbed sites that may impact some crops
- Considered an environmental weed in riparian areas of the Northern Territory, Australia
- Tolerates many soil types
- Climbing and smothering habit
- Reproduces by seeds
- Cleistogamous (self-pollinating), but a small level of outcrossing occurs
- Reaches maturity quickly (as early as 8-9 weeks after sowing)
- Seeds dispersed by dehiscent pods, water, garden waste, as a crop contaminant, in animal dung, and intentionally by people
- Hard-coated seeds may form a persistent seed bank
- Tolerates and resprouts after fire
Low Risk Traits:
- In the Hawaiian Islands, valued as a fodder crop or ornamental plant with no reports of detrimental impacts to natural areas or agriculture
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Provides fodder for livestock
- Thrives in full sun (dense shade may limit spread)
- Stems do not root at the nodes (not reported to spread by vegetative fragmentation)
- Herbicides may provide effective control
