Centrosema virginianum

Spurred Butterfly Pea is one of our most glamorous native perennial vines. It’s amazing how many European gardens have this plant while it remains absent from so many here in its native land. Putting-forth large (2″ in diameter) showy flowers of pinkish lavender with white inner markings, I can’t imagine anyone not wanting it somewhere in their landscape. Growing and blooming favorably in full sun, it also performs quite well in moderate shade. This plant is often confused with Clitoria mariana, which lacks the small spur at the back of its flowers.