Morning glories
Ipomoea have funnel-shaped flowers; many seeds are toxic.
Use the botanical sourceCulinary reference
Butterfly pea.
Clitoria ternatea
Also found as Asian pigeonwings
A tropical climbing vine with vivid blue flowers used to color tea and rice blue.
Sources checked 27 September 2026 · Specialist field review pending
Before any gathering or use
Seeds and roots are strongly laxative; use flowers only.
Where it grows
Tracked records and known growing zone
- Verified records
- 7,263
- People who recorded it
- 4,996
- Most records (northern hemisphere)
- Apr–May, Jul, Sep–Nov
- Records span
- 1986–2026
| January | 367 |
|---|---|
| February | 281 |
| March | 368 |
| April | 1072 |
| May | 630 |
| June | 358 |
| July | 521 |
| August | 464 |
| September | 577 |
| October | 632 |
| November | 522 |
| December | 422 |
| January | 80 |
|---|---|
| February | 99 |
| March | 130 |
| April | 158 |
| May | 142 |
| June | 68 |
| July | 75 |
| August | 59 |
| September | 61 |
| October | 62 |
| November | 44 |
| December | 71 |
Research-grade iNaturalist records, snapshot Aug 27, 2026. The growing zone combines areas where different people have repeatedly verified it. Records show where people looked and found it, not current abundance or permission to gather.
01 / Learn to see
Field marks
- 01
Twining vine with compound leaves of five to seven oval leaflets.
- 02
Vivid blue flowers with a white or yellow center.
- 03
Flat seed pods.
These are study prompts, not a complete identification key. Confirm the full plant with a regional flora and an experienced local identifier.
02 / Resolve the differences
Look closely. Compare.
Selected comparisons only. Other lookalikes may occur locally.
03 / Meet the place
Habitat & season
Range context
Native to tropical Asia; widely cultivated and naturalized in the tropics.
Watch the plant stage
Flowers in warm seasons.
Stage guidance is not a local forecast. Check your climate, elevation and a regional source; no month-shift formula is used here.
04 / Gather with care
Documented use & care
Parts discussed: Flower
Steep flowers for blue tea; lemon turns it purple. Use flowers to color food.
Care for the patch
Pick flowers and leave pods to mature.
Preparation & storage essentials05 / Follow the evidence
Sources & review
- Wikipedia · Clitoria ternateaBotanical description, range and documented use
- iNaturalist · Clitoria ternateaTaxonomy and verified observation records
Checked 27 September 2026. Original editorial synthesis; source institutions have not reviewed or endorsed this guide. Independent botanical field review is pending. Photos illustrate specimens; they do not certify the identity of a plant you find.
Suggest a correction