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Native Plant Society of Texas

Spurred Butterfly Pea

Centrosema virginianum

Other common name(s):

Butterfly Pea

Family:

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Eastern Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands
Mid-Coast Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes, Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Vine

Height

10
to
12
ft.

Spread

.5
to
1
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Dry

Light Requirement

Part Shade, Shade

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Pink, Blue, Purple

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Forage, Nectar, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Browsers, Butterflies, Birds, Nectar Insects

Maintenance

A low growing perennial vine with roots that fix the nitrogen into the soil. Extensive root system helps stabilize soils and control erosion. Prefers dry sandy soils in open oak, pinewoods, fields, roadsides, and coastal dunes. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Blooms April-November. Trailing or twining vine with compound, oval to lance-shaped leaves. Pea-shaped, violet flowers, grow single or in clusters of 2-4 in leaf axils. The fruit is a capsule. Larval host: Northern Cloudywing and Long-tailed Skipper butterflies. Seeds are especially important for Bobwhite Quail
Previous Scientific Name(s): Bradburya virginiana, Centrosema virginianum var. ellipticum

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed Scarification Scarify seeds: pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water and sow in a greenhouse in the spring. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and plant out in the summer. Ensure a warm, humid environment for germination, provide moderate light, and maintain moisture. Transplant seedlings when sturdy, placing them in supportive locations. 1) https://practicalplants.org/wiki/centrosema_virginianum/#:~:text=Propagation,plant%20out%20in%20the%20summer. 2) https://www.picturethisai.com/wiki/Centrosema_virginianum.html
Stem Cutting Ensure that cuttings have at least a few nodes and are placed in a moist, well-draining medium. Cuttings can be taken during the growing season. https://earthone.io/zh/plant/centrosema%20virginianum

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason