Description

• Centrosema is a genus of flowering vines in the legume family (Fabaceae), commonly known as butterfly peas. These plants typically have twining or trailing stems, compound leaves with three leaflets, and distinctive pea-shaped flowers. The flowers are often violet, purple, pink, or white, with contrasting markings on the petals. Unlike many other legumes, the flower is usually positioned with the standard petal facing downward. The plants produce elongated pods that split open when mature, releasing their seeds.

Range

• The genus Centrosema is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, ranging from Mexico and Central America through the Caribbean and into South America. Several species have been introduced elsewhere as forage or cover crops. The genus is represented in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, and the surrounding area.

Habitat

• Species of Centrosema grow in tropical grasslands, scrub, woodland margins, forest clearings, and disturbed areas. They generally favour warm conditions and can grow in sunny or partly shaded locations, climbing through surrounding vegetation or spreading along the ground. Some species are valued as forage plants because they can fix nitrogen and provide nutritious foliage for livestock.