Clitoria ternatea
Clitoria ternatea, commonly known as Butterfly Pea, is a vibrant climbing legume celebrated for its striking deep blue flowers. Renowned in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, this versatile plant offers potent antioxidant properties, supporting cognitive function, eye health, and stress relief, while also serving as a natural, stunning food coloring.
- Scientific name: Clitoria ternatea
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, it is further categorized into the family Fabaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Clitoria.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Clitoria | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range that spans across several distinct regions. In Northern Africa, its presence can be documented within the country of Egypt. The species is also found throughout Macaronesia, specifically inhabiting the Canary Islands and Cape Verde. Moving toward West Tropical Africa, its distribution extends into Benin. Finally, the plant can also be located within the borders of Burkina Faso.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Africa | Egypt | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Canary Is. | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mauritania | WCVP |
Chemicals
Clitoria ternatea has 21 reported phytochemicals identified across 22 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include anthocyanins, (Z)-9,17-octadecadienal, Clitorin, Kaempferol, anthocyanin.
- Total chemicals
- 21
- Scientific sources
- 22
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| anthocyanins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (Z)-9,17-octadecadienal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Clitorin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Kaempferol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anthocyanin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ascorbic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| delphinidin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lupeol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Clitoria ternatea has 12 reported activities identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Neuroprotective, Analgesic, Antibacterial.
- Total activities
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 16
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidepressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antipyretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diuretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Clitoria ternatea has 24 reported medicinal uses identified across 25 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Alzheimer's disease, Diabetes mellitus, Gram-negative bacteria, analgesic, antidepressant.
- Total uses
- 24
- Scientific sources
- 25
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's disease | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gram-negative bacteria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidepressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antipyretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cognitive dysfunction | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colon cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |