''Clitoria'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial n ...

of mainly tropical and subtropical,

insect Insects (from Latin ') are pancrustacean hexapod invertebrates of the class Insecta. They are the largest group within the arthropod phylum. Insects have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body (head, thorax and abdomen), three pairs ...

-pollinated flowering pea vines.

Taxonomy

Naming of the genus

This genus was named after the human

clitoris The clitoris ( or ) is a female sex organ present in mammals, ostriches and a limited number of other animals. In humans, the visible portion – the glans – is at the front junction of the labia minora (inner lips), above the o ...

, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the

vulva The vulva (plural: vulvas or vulvae; derived from Latin for wrapper or covering) consists of the external female sex organs. The vulva includes the mons pubis (or mons veneris), labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibular bulbs, v ...

. The first reference to the genus, which includes an illustration of the plant, was made in 1678 by Jakób Breyne, a

Polish Polish may refer to: * Anything from or related to Poland, a country in Europe * Polish language * Poles, people from Poland or of Polish descent * Polish chicken *Polish brothers (Mark Polish and Michael Polish, born 1970), American twin screenwr ...

naturalist, who described it as ''Flos clitoridis ternatensibus'', meaning ' Ternatean flower of the clitoris'. Many vernacular names of these flowers in different languages are similarly based on references to female external genitalia. Controversies existed in the past among botanists regarding the

good taste "Good Taste" is a science fiction short story by American writer Isaac Asimov. It first appeared in a limited edition book of the same name by Apocalypse Press in 1976. It subsequently appeared in '' Asimov's Science Fiction'' (Fall 1977) and i ...

of the naming of the genus. The analogy drew sharp criticism from botanists such as James Edward Smith in 1807,

Amos Eaton Amos Eaton (May 17, 1776 – May 10, 1842) was an American botanist, geologist, and educator who is considered the founder of the modern scientific prospectus in education, which was a radical departure from the American liberal arts tradition o ...

in 1817,

Michel Étienne Descourtilz Michel Étienne Descourtilz (25 November 1775, Boiste near Pithiviers – 1835 or 1836, Paris), was a French physician, botanist and historian of the Haitian Revolution. He was the father of illustrator Jean-Théodore Descourtilz, with whom he so ...

in 1826, and Eaton and

Wright Wright is an occupational surname originating in England. The term 'Wright' comes from the circa 700 AD Old English word 'wryhta' or 'wyrhta', meaning worker or shaper of wood. Later it became any occupational worker (for example, a shipwright is ...

in 1840. Some less explicit alternatives, like ''Vexillaria'' (Eaton 1817) and ''Nauchea'' (Descourtilz 1826), were proposed, but they failed to prosper, and the name ''Clitoria'' has survived to this day.

Species

Plants of the World Online Plants of the World Online (POWO) is an online database published by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. It was launched in March 2017 with the ultimate aim being "to enable users to access information on all the world's known seed-bearing plants ...

accepted the following species: *''

Clitoria amazonum ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referen ...

'' Mart. ex Benth. *''

Clitoria andrei ''Clitoria andrei'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. It is found only in Ecuador. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forest A forest is an area of land dominated by trees. Hundreds of definitions o ...

'' Fantz *''

Clitoria annua ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' J.Graham *''

Clitoria arborea ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Benth. *''

Clitoria arborescens ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first refer ...

'' R.Br. *''

Clitoria australis ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first refer ...

'' Benth. *''

Clitoria brachycalyx ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first refer ...

'' Harms *''

Clitoria brachystegia ''Clitoria brachystegia'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae The Fabaceae or Leguminosae,Clitoria canescens ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first refer ...

'' Pittier ex Fantz *''

Clitoria cavalcantei ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Fantz *''

Clitoria cearensis ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first refer ...

'' Huber *''

Clitoria chanondii ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first refer ...

'' Chuakul *''

Clitoria cordiformis ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first refer ...

'' Fantz *''

Clitoria cordobensis ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Burkart *''

Clitoria coriacea ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Schery *''

Clitoria dendrina ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Pittier *''

Clitoria densiflora ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' (Benth.) Benth. *''

Clitoria epetiolata ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Burkart *''

Clitoria fairchildiana ''Clitoria fairchildiana'', the ''sombreiro'', is a flowering plant species in the genus ''Clitoria'' found in Campina Grande Campina Grande is the second most populous Brazilian city in the State of Paraíba after João Pessoa, the capital. ...

'' R.A.Howard *''

Clitoria falcata ''Clitoria falcata'' is a plant of the genus ''Clitoria'' native to South and Central America. References External links * * {{Taxonbar, from=Q15250378 falcata The falcata is a type of sword typical of pre-Roman Iberia. The falcata was ...

'' Lam. *''

Clitoria flagellaris ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' (Benth.) Benth. *''

Clitoria flexuosa ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Fantz *''

Clitoria fragrans ''Clitoria fragrans'' is a rare species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common name pigeon wings, or sweet-scented pigeon wings. It is endemic to Central Florida, where it was known most recently from 62 occurrences,

'' Small *''

Clitoria froesii ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Fantz *''

Clitoria glaberrima ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Pittier *'' Clitoria guianensis'' (Aubl.) Benth. *''

Clitoria hanceana ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Hemsl. *''

Clitoria hermannii ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Fantz *'' Clitoria heterophylla'' Lam. *''

Clitoria humilis ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Rose *'' Clitoria irwinii'' Fantz *''

Clitoria javanica ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Miq. *''

Clitoria javitensis ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' (Kunth) Benth. *''

Clitoria juninensis ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Fantz *''

Clitoria kaessneri ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Harms *''

Clitoria kaieteurensis ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Fantz *''

Clitoria lasciva ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Bojer ex Benth. *''

Clitoria laurifolia ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering Faboideae, pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The firs ...

'' Poir. *''

Clitoria leptostachya ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Benth. *'' Clitoria linearis'' Gagnep. *''

Clitoria macrophylla ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Wall. ex Benth. *''

Clitoria magentea ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Fantz *''

Clitoria mariana ''Clitoria mariana'', known by the common names butterfly pea and Atlantic pigeon wings, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the pea family, Fabaceae. The plant is native to the United States. Description The ascending, sometimes twining stem ...

'' L. *''

Clitoria mexicana ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Link *''

Clitoria monticola ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Brandegee *''

Clitoria moyobambensis ''Clitoria moyobambensis'' is a species of legume in the family Fabaceae. It is found only in Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Sea ...

'' Fantz *''

Clitoria mucronulata ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first refer ...

'' Benth. *''

Clitoria nana ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Benth. *''

Clitoria nervosa ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Herzog *''

Clitoria obidensis ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Huber *''

Clitoria pendens ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Fantz *''

Clitoria pilosula ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Wall. ex Benth. *''

Clitoria plumosa ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Fantz *''

Clitoria polystachya ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Benth. *''

Clitoria pozuzoensis ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first refer ...

'' J.F.Macbr. *''

Clitoria sagotii ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Fantz *'' Clitoria selloi'' Benth. *''

Clitoria simplicifolia ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' (Kunth) Benth. *''

Clitoria snethlageae ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Ducke *''

Clitoria speciosa ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Cav. *''

Clitoria steyermarkii ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Fantz *''

Clitoria stipularis ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' Benth. *''

Clitoria ternatea ''Clitoria ternatea'', commonly known as Asian pigeonwings, bluebellvine, blue pea, butterfly pea, cordofan pea or Darwin pea is a plant species belonging to the family Fabaceae, endemic and native to the Indonesian island of Ternate. In India, ...

'' L. *''

Clitoria triflora ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first referenc ...

'' S.Watson *''

Clitoria tunuhiensis ''Clitoria'' is a genus of mainly tropical and subtropical, insect-pollinated flowering pea vines. Taxonomy Naming of the genus This genus was named after the human clitoris, for the flowers bear a resemblance to the vulva. The first refer ...

'' Fantz *''

Clitoria woytkowskii ''Clitoria woytkowskii'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. It is found only in Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Gre ...

'' Fantz

Distribution

These plants are native to tropical, subtropical and temperate areas of the world, from western North America east to Australia.

Uses

The most widely known species of the genus is ''

'', also known as butterfly pea. It is used as an herbal medicine, and it is used as food, as well. Its roots are used in

ayurveda Ayurveda () is an alternative medicine system with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent. The theory and practice of Ayurveda is pseudoscientific. Ayurveda is heavily practiced in India and Nepal, where around 80% of the population repor ...

Hindu medicine.

Gallery

Image:Clitoria MS4124.JPG, The shape of the ''Clitoria'' flowers has inspired the name of the genus File:Clitoria (447419053).jpg, ''

'' flower File:Neel Aporajita (Clitoria ternatea) in Shantinagar, Dhaka.jpg, ''

'', known as ''Neel Aporajita'' in

Bangladesh Bangladesh (}, ), officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by population, eighth-most populous country in the world, with a population exceeding 165 million pe ...

File:Khao tom-dok anchan53.JPG,

Thai Thai or THAI may refer to: * Of or from Thailand, a country in Southeast Asia ** Thai people, the dominant ethnic group of Thailand ** Thai language, a Tai-Kadai language spoken mainly in and around Thailand *** Thai script *** Thai (Unicode bloc ...

Khao tom ''Khao tom'' ( lo, ເຂົ້າຕົ້ມ; th, ข้าวต้ม, ; also spelled ''kao tom''), or ''Khao tom mat'' ( th, ข้าวต้มมัด, ) is a Southeast Asian dessert eaten by Laotian and Thai people, consisting of ...

'' sweet colored blue with ''Clitoria ternatea'' flowers File:Blue tea.jpg, Clitoria tea

Taxonomy

Naming of the genus

Species

Distribution

Uses

Gallery

See also

References

Further reading