Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Clitoria

Clitoria

9.9
A tropical shrub or climbing plant with feather-like leaves and bright blue flowers known as butterfly pea
  • noun
  • /klɪˈtɔːriə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Clitoria
  • The Clitoria genus is best known for the butterfly pea, widely cultivated for its vibrant blue flowers.

Examples

  • The striking blossoms of Clitoria attract many pollinators in tropical climates.

  • Several species of Clitoria are used in traditional medicine and as ornamental plants in gardens.

  • The Clitoria plant is often used in traditional medicine.

  • Have you seen a Clitoria flower before?

  • Several species of Clitoria are used in traditional medicine and as ornamental plants in gardens.

  • The Clitoria genus is best known for the butterfly pea, widely cultivated for its vibrant blue flowers.

  • The striking blossoms of Clitoria attract many pollinators in tropical climates.

Synonyms

butterfly pea
vsClitoria
5.8

A climbing plant with bright blue or purple flowers that people use to make tea and decorate gardens

is the scientific genus used in botanical classification rather than garden use

Compounds

Clitoria mariana
  • Specialized
9.9

A climbing wild vine with large pale blue flowers that grows in meadows in the southeastern United States

Clitoria ternatea
  • Specialized
9.9

A tropical vine with bright blue flowers often used to make tea

Surface Forms

Clitoria singular
Clitorias plural

Etymology

Clitoria comes from a Greek word kleitoris meaning 'small hill', and it is the same root as the English word clitoris. Early plant scientists thought the flower's rounded bottom petal looked like a small hill, so the name stuck and now Clitoria names a group of tropical plants with showy, pea-like flowers.