Bitterroot Restoration

Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Common name: Aparajita, Nila(Beng.); Butterfly pea(Eng.).
Life cycle: Perennial
Native Range: It is native to tropical equatorial Asia, but has been introduced to Africa, Australia and the New World.

Clitoria ternatea is a perennial herbaceous plant. Its leaves are elliptic and obtuse. It grows as a vine or creeper, doing well in moist neutral soil. The most striking feature about this plant are its vivid deep blue flowers. They are solitary, with light yellow markings. It is about 4 cm long by 3 cm wide. There are some varieties that yield white flowers. The fruits are 5 - 7 cm long, flat pods with 6 to 10 seeds in each pod. They are edible when tender.

Clitoria ternatea root extracts are capable of curing whooping cough if taken orally. The extract from the white-flowered plant can cure goiter. Its roots are used in ayurveda Indian medicine.