Centrosema molle Mart. ex Benth.

Common Name and Taxonomy

Centrosema molle, commonly called the soft butterfly pea or spurred butterfly pea, is a perennial climbing herb that belongs to the legume family, Fabaceae.

Native Distribution Range

It is native to areas stretching from southern Mexico, through Central America, and into South America. Its native distribution covers countries including Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, and most of the Caribbean.

Introduced Distribution

It has also been introduced to parts of Asia and the Pacific, specifically India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Samoa.

Habitat

This species most often grows in seasonally dry tropical biomes, and grows well in forests, savannas, shrublands, and grasslands.

Vegetative and Floral Traits

Defining traits of the plant include its twining growth habit, three-foliolate velvety leaves, and mauve-purple flowers that have a distinctive spur above the claw of the standard petal.

Seed Pod Characteristics

Its seed pods are linear and ribbed, and can grow up to 17 centimeters long.

Uses

Centrosema molle has environmental uses: it is especially used for soil improvement and as ground cover, and it also acts as forage for livestock and other animals.