Clitoria fragrans

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Clitoria fragrans
Insert.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida - Dicotyledons
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae ⁄ Leguminosae
Genus: Clitoria
Species: C. fragrans
Binomial name
Clitoria fragrans
Small
Clit frag dist.jpg
Natural range of Clitoria fragrans from USDA NRCS Plants Database.

Common name: sweetscented pigeonwings

Taxonomic notes

The common name, pigeon wings, is due to the flowers' bird-like appearance [1].

Description

C. fragrans is a perennial, erect, suffrutescent herb that is found in scrub and sandhill habitats along the Lake Wales Ridge (Lewis 2007; Small 1926). It is distinguishable from other legumes by its non-twining habit, prominent stipules, three foliate leaves, and resupinate flowers (Frantz 1977; Lewis 2007). It has both chasmogamous and cleistogamous fowers [1].

Distribution

It is endemic to the Lake Wales Ridge and is an endangered species in Florida [2]. The distribution of C. fragrans is limited by the rapidly disappearing scrub habitat due to agriculture and residential development[1].

Ecology

Habitat

C. fragrans can be found in the xeric soils of turkey oak scrubs and sandhills along the Lake Wales Ridge (FSU Herbarium; Menges et al. 2007; Small 1926). It often can be found occupying open, sandy spaces between shrubs, along sandy fire lanes, and between citrus groves (Cary and Bashore 2007; FSU Herbarium). Associated species include Quercus, Gordonia, Vitis, Pinus, Aristida stricta, Quercus laevis and Quercus incana[2] (FSU Herbarium).

Phenology

C. fragrans has both chasmogamous and cleistogamous flowers [1] and has been observed to produce more cleistogamous flowers and fruit than chamogamous structures (Lewis 2007). The chasmogamous flowers are lavender, with darker purplish lines and white throats[3] and can be observed blooming May to June[1](FSU Herbarium). Cleistogamous flowers occur later in the summer through late September [1].

Seed dispersal

Seed bank and germination

Fire ecology

Pollination

The following Hymenoptera families and species were observed visiting flowers of Clitoria fragrans at Archbold Biological Station (Deyrup 2015):

Megachilidae: Megachile petulans

Use by animals

Diseases and parasites

Conservation and Management

Cultivation and restoration

Photo Gallery

References and notes

Deyrup, M.A. and N.D. 2015. Database of observations of Hymenoptera visitations to flowers of plants on Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA.

Florida State University Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium database. URL: http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu. Last accessed: October 2015. Collectors: R.K. Godfrey, O. Lakela, Grady W. Reinert, John K. Small, Edgar T. Wherry. States and Counties: Florida: Highlands, Polk. Compiled by Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy.

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 [FWS] Accessed: December 7, 2015
  2. 2.0 2.1 [FNAI] Accessed: December 7, 2015
  3. [Native Florida Wildflowers]Accessed: December 7, 2015