Clitoria ternatea
Origin: Ternate, Indonesia (via Australia)
Improvement status: Cultivated
Seeds per packet: ~45
BOTANICAL SAMPLE - NOT GERMINATION TESTED
Life cycle: Annual (or tropical perennial)
Butterfly peas used to fly under the radar, but now that the secret is out, the vivid blue tea made from its flowers — which changes color to purple upon the addition of something acidic like lemon juice — has become all the rage among mixologists, chefs, and at-home experimenters of all kinds. The plant is a tropical perennial vine (though it can be grown as an annual in temperate areas) endemic to the Indonesian island of Ternate. The Latin name of this genus (Clitoria) comes from its distinct resemblance to a certain part of the human female anatomy (albeit bright blue). Butterfly pea is mainly grown for the tea and coloring made from its flowers, but the flowers themselves are sometimes eaten too. Flowers may also be all white, more purple than blue, and/or with doubled petals. The plant is only reliably perennial in Zone 10 and above.
Our Australian-grown seed comes to us from the good folks at Sheffield's Seeds in New York, experts in importing cool seeds since 1978.
GROWING TIPS: Seeds are easy to sprout, but should be nicked with a file or some sandpaper and soaked overnight before planting. Prefers full sun and definitely should be provided with a trellis or something else to climb.
