Biology:Centrosema virginianum
| Centrosema virginianum | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Centrosema |
| Species: | C. virginianum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Centrosema virginianum (L.) Benth.
| |
Centrosema virginianum is known by the common names of spurred butterfly pea,[1] wild blue vine, blue bell, and wild pea.[2] C. virginianum is a member of the family Fabaceae, it is identified by its trailing and twining vine and showy flowers.[3] C. virginianum habitats are in sunny areas within pine lands, and coastal uplands.[3]
Description
Centrosema virginianum is a perennial herbaceous vine [4] growing procumbently or twining to a height approaching two meters.[1][2] It has alternate pinnately divided leaves, 3 to 10 centimeters long. Leaflets are lanceolate or ovate, 1 to 4 cm long,[2] Stipules are often deciduous, and mostly setaceous.[2] There is a wide range of leaflet forms, from linear to ovate to oblong or lanceolate-oblong, acute or acuminate at the apex.[2] Flowering occurs in the spring and summer.[1][4]
Flowers of Centrosema virginianum, are highly specialized, with an inverted (resupinate) banner to accommodate pollinators (bees).[4] The inflorescence consists of one to four bisexual flowers on an axillary peduncle; the calyx is deeply five-lobed, and the acute lobes are longer than the tube.[2] The corolla is purplish or lavender-blue to nearly white;[2] the fruit contains four to ten dark brown seeds.[2] The diversity of leaflet shapes and corolla size and color can lead to confusion with C. pubescens.[2] C. virginianum's roots are capable of nitrogen fixation.[5]
Distribution
Centrosema virginianum ranges more or less continuously from Uruguay and northern Argentina to the eastern United States and Bermuda in tropical and subtropical areas.[2][3] It is widely distributed throughout the West Indies and has become naturalized in tropical West Africa.[2]
See also
- Clitoria, a vine with which Centrosema virginianum may be confused
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "NCNPS Native Plant Gallery". http://www.ncwildflower.org/plant_galleries/details/centrosema-virginianum. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 "CentrosemaVirginianum". http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/DATA/PF000020.HTM. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "IRC-Natives for your Neighborhood". http://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=centvirg. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Island and Mainland Pollination Ecology of Centrosema Virginianum and Opuntia Stricta".
- ↑ Benth., L.. "Plants for the future". http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Centrosema+virginianum. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
Wikidata ☰ Q5063036 entry
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