butterfly pea

American  

noun

1. any of several leguminous plants of the genus Clitoria, as C. mariana, of North America, having pale-blue flowers.

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Etymology

Origin of butterfly pea

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60

Example Sentences

"Until a few years ago, the butterfly pea flower was just another climbing plant in my village," says Nilam Brahma who lives in Anthaigwlao, a village in the northeastern Indian state of Assam.

From BBC • Jan. 5, 2026

Last week, the FDA approved three natural color additives — calcium phosphate, Galdieria extract blue and butterfly pea flower extract — to replace them.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2025

The ice cream, with butterfly pea coconut milk and Thai milk tea favours, was modelled after the blue ceramic plates and flower details of the pagoda, said ice cream maker Pop Icon.

From Reuters • Jul. 12, 2023

Both have disadvantages, Buchweitz says: Extracting the blue compound from the algae is a laborious process, and the anthocyanins from the butterfly pea aren’t as stable, she says.

From Science Magazine • Jun. 14, 2023

Several members of the tropic-loving genus, that produce large, highly colored flowers, have been introduced to American hothouses; but the blue butterfly pea is our only native representative.

From Wild Flowers An Aid to Knowledge of Our Wild Flowers and Their Insect Visitors by Blanchan, Neltje