Butterfly pea is a plant that is native to tropical Asia and is known for its beautiful vibrant blue flowers. It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and cuisine, and has recently gained popularity in the Western world as a natural food coloring and health supplement. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of butterfly pea, its origin, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences.
Definitions
Butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea) is a perennial vine that belongs to the family Fabaceae. It is also known as blue pea, Asian pigeonwings, and cordofan pea. The plant has small, oval-shaped leaves and produces striking blue flowers that are about 3-5 centimeters in diameter.
The term butterfly pea can also refer to the dried flowers of the plant, which are used to make tea and natural food coloring. The flowers contain a natural pigment called anthocyanin, which gives them their distinctive blue color.
In traditional medicine, butterfly pea has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including anxiety, depression, inflammation, and high blood pressure.
Origin
Butterfly pea is believed to have originated in tropical Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. It has been cultivated in these regions for centuries and is an important part of traditional medicine and cuisine.
The plant has also been introduced to other parts of the world, including Africa, the Caribbean, and South America, where it is grown as an ornamental plant and used in traditional medicine.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, butterfly pea is defined as “a tropical Asian vine (Clitoria ternatea) of the legume family that has blue flowers and is used as a medicinal herb and for food coloring.”
The Oxford English Dictionary defines butterfly pea as “a climbing plant of the pea family, native to tropical Asia, with blue flowers that are used to make tea and natural food coloring.”
Associations
Butterfly pea is often associated with natural food coloring, as the dried flowers are used to give food and beverages a vibrant blue color. It is also associated with traditional medicine, as it has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments.
In Thai cuisine, butterfly pea is used to make a popular drink called nam dok anchan, which is made by steeping the dried flowers in hot water and adding sugar and lime juice.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for butterfly pea include blue pea, Asian pigeonwings, cordofan pea, and Clitoria ternatea.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms for butterfly pea, as it is a specific plant species.
The same root words
The scientific name for butterfly pea, Clitoria ternatea, comes from the Latin word clitoris, which means “resembling a key,” and the Greek word ternatea, which means “three-fold.” The plant is named after the shape of its flowers, which are said to resemble a key.
Example Sentences
- I love drinking butterfly pea tea because of its beautiful blue color and calming effects.
- The restaurant used butterfly pea extract to color their desserts instead of artificial food coloring.
- Traditional healers in India have long used butterfly pea to treat anxiety and depression.
- The butterfly pea plant is easy to grow and adds a pop of color to any garden.
- I added butterfly pea flowers to my bath to create a relaxing and rejuvenating soak.