44, see text Centrosema, the butterfly peas,[2] is a genus of (mainly tropical) American vines in the legume family (Fabaceae).

It includes 44 species, which range through the tropical and warm-temperate Americas from the southern United States to northern Argentina.

Species include:[1] Lepidopteran caterpillars that feed on butterfly peas include the two-barred flasher (Astraptes fulgerator), occasionally recorded on C. macrocarpum and C. plumieri at least.

[3] Another plant referred to as butterfly pea from the same subtribe Clitoriinae is the related Clitoria ternatea.

The flower is able to make a whistling sound hence children usually find it useful as a toy.