Butterfly peas in bloom

 Butterfly pea, Centrosema virginianum, is putting out lavender blooms in the shape that reminds some people of butterfly wings. The flowers remind me of eyeglasses or 8s.

It’s a vine that crawls along the ground and runs up trees. The vine lacks tendrils, so it twines.

The roots are extensive. Bacteria form nodules on the roots that fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil.

The blooms are among the most beautiful I’ve seen the Georgia Piedmont. I see them along Yellow River and at Arabia Mountain — always with pleasure. I was surprised to learn that the flowers last only half a day.

• Source: The North Carolina Extension Service’s article is here:

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/centrosema-virginianum/