butterfly pea
butterfly pea Lexical Profile
• noun
A tropical climbing vine (Clitoria ternatea) in the legume family, native to equatorial Asia, notable for its vibrant blue flowers that are commonly used to make color-changing herbal tea and as a natural food colorant.
"The bartender added a few drops of lemon juice to the butterfly pea tea, causing the deep blue drink to magically turn a vibrant purple."
Any of several other climbing or trailing plants of the genera Clitoria or Centrosema, characterized by pea-like flowers with large, showy standard petals.
"We planted a spurred butterfly pea along the trellis to attract local pollinators and add a splash of color to the garden."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The name derives from the shape of the plant's prominent bloom, which features large, wing-like petals resembling a butterfly, combined with its botanical classification within the pea family (Fabaceae).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.