Clitoria mariana
(Atlantic Pigeonwings)
Common Name, Latin Name, and Family
The common name is Atlantic pigeonwings.
The Latin name is Clitoria mariana.
It is found in the Fabaceae, or pea family.
Form
A perennial vine that will spread to about 4-6 feet in length.
Leaves
The leaves are compound with 3 leaflets.
The margins are entire and their shape is mostly ovate to ovate-lanceolate.
Flowers
Pale purple flowers appear in the summer.
Fruit / Seeds
Once the flowers are pollinated the vine develops little pea pods.
At first they are bright green and flat but as the seeds inside mature the pod gets larger in diameter.
When the seeds are fully ripe the pod turns brown.
The pods have sutures along the edges and once the seeds ripen the sutures separate and the seeds spring out.
Habitat
Dry flatwoods, pine stands and sandhills.
Landscape Use
In the home landscape it grows in part shade to full sun with average moisture.
It can tolerate most any type of soil except for heavy clay.
Once established it is zero maintenance.
Wildlife Use
Bees and butterflies use the flowers as a nectar source.
Songbirds and small mammals eat the seeds, and may eat the flower buds and new shoots.
Propagation
It can be propagated by seeds and transplants.
When transplanting be sure to remove most of the upper foliage and flowers to allow the plant to recover from the shock and put its efforts into recovering and focusing on root growth.
New growth should start to appear rather quickly. Keep watered until you see new growth.