Centrosema virginianum

May be confused with Clitoria mariana which is also often called butterflypea. Both have atypical legume flowers by having the larger petal (standard) beneath the other flower parts. They can be distinguished from one another by their calyx which is shorter than the lobes in Centrosema, while it is longer in Clitoria. Centrosema also has a twining habit and fine white hairs throughout while Clitoria mariana is erect or trailing and is hairless (Grelen and Hughes 1984).

Easily propagated from seed. Plant seed fresh in fall or store dry in cold storage and plant in spring. Seeds average approximately 33,000/lb.

Because of its limited abundance, it provides essentially no forage value. The seeds are eaten readily by bobwhite quail and other birds and small mammals.

This flower is adapted to pollination by native bumblebees.

Open woods, dry sandy woods, and clearings.