Tuesday, January 29, 2008

The Seed Gatherer

I have been doing a bit of internet research but have not been able to find an answer. I want to know the name of this plant I have but can't identify it. Who better to ask then my readers?!

Last winter, February 2007, we visited Playa del Carmen for the day. Surrounding a vacant lot was a chain link fence. The fence was covered with this beautiful plant in full bloom.



I like it so much that I gathered some seed pods and brought them home. Later I planted them and they actually grew! They are now in bloom and I love it as much as when I first saw it. It is a climbing plant and very prolific. It seems to me to be a cross between Sweet Pea and Morning Glory. The flowers have no scent. When it produces seeds again this year, I plan to plant it in various places around the garden. I'm wondering if it comes in other colors too.



Does anybody recognize it? It just doesn't seem like a native plant to here, although it is doing really well and had completely covered a block long fence in Playa.

Muchas Gracias for any info you can send my way.

UPDATE: Wow, that didn't take long! Thanks to Esther for the info. It is Clitoria Ternata and, as Google says, named after its' resemblence to a certain body part! Sadly, it only comes in blue. I highly recommend this plant to people who want a cover plant or just something nice crawling up their wall. I love it.

10 comments:

Brenda Maas said...

I don't know what it is; but it is pretty.

Catalyst said...

Neither I nor SWMBO can identify it but it is pretty.

Anonymous said...

Do an Google image search on the flower Clitoria Ternata. That is what I think you have.

Anonymous said...

I've got one of those in my back yard, it's covered over two trees and two walls. I love the flowers.

Steve Cotton said...

It looks familiar, but I can't seem to put my finger on it.

Sacré bleu.

Anonymous said...

Steve - I was going to write, It is very familiar and it is on the tip of my tongue (LOL).

Juan

Islagringo said...

Steve and Juan: Stop being nasty on my blog! Funny how it doesn't have a scent though! LMAO!

Kathy said...

oooh! what nasty nasty commenters! I just might have to wash my eyes. Course, that would be immediately after getting some seed pods myself. Those flowers are absolutely CLASSIC.

Tom said...

I just received as a gift a seed pod from this same type vine. I was told, by a meridano, that it is a zapato de reina. Googled searches have come up empty on that name. It must be just a local nomenclature!

Anonymous said...

Heree it is - Butterfly Pea
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/wildflowers/clitoria_mariana.html