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 (Palazzo et al. 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

It exhibits ballistic seed dispersal, this results in most of the new individuals coming from plants already established in the population (Lewis 2007). The cleistogamous and chasmogamous seeds have been observed to not have morphological differences (Lewis 2007). Fruits are three sided achenes (Palazzo et al. 2007).

Seed bank and germination

Fire ecology

C. fragrans is found in pyrogenic habitats along the Lake Wales Ridge and has a long taproot to increase fire survival[4]. Fire increases both flowering and population density in plants; however, it has been observed flowering in a site not burned for thirty years[1](Lewis 2007). Plants in long-unburned sites have been observed to rarely produce cleistogamous flowers (Palazzo et al. 2007). Weekley and Menges (2003) observed a moderate resprouting response to fire.

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

C. fragrans is a host plant to the long-tailed skipper[3].

Diseases and parasites

Conservation and Management

C. fragrans is a federally threatened and endangered species in Florida. A major threat to the species is the conversion of habitat on the Lake Wales Ridge to agriculture and urbanization; this also leads to population fragmentation (Palazzo et al. 2007).

In order to prevent further population loss, prescribed fire is suggested[2].

Cultivation and restoration

Photo Gallery

References and notes

Palazzo, A.J., Hardy, S.E., Cary, T.J., and Bashore, T. 2007 A Review of the Growth Habits and Restoration Issues for Clitoria fragrans and Polygonella basiramia. US Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development Center.

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.

Small, John K.. “A New Butterfly-pea from Florida.”. Torreya 26.3 (1926): 56–57.

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 [FWS] Accessed: December 7, 2015
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 [FNAI] Accessed: December 7, 2015
  3. 3.0 3.1 [Native Florida Wildflowers]Accessed: December 7, 2015
  4. [NatureServe] Accessed: December 7, 2015