Clitoria fairchildiana, the sombreiro, is a flowering plant species in the genus Clitoria found in Campina Grande, Brazil. The rotenoids clitoriacetal, stemonacetal, 6-deoxyclitoriacetal, 11-deoxyclitoriacetal, 9-demethylclitoriacetal and stemonal can be isolated from C. fairchildiana.
Philippine pigeonwings is resistant to disease and is generally unlikely to develop illnesses. Regarding care, this plant is fairly low-maintenance. When grown outdoors it needs little watering, and larger specimens typically do not require pruning. Smaller plants, however, should be pruned after they have finished blooming. Philippine pigeonwings is appropriate for anyone with an outdoor area, such as a garden or deck, and does not require extensive care experience.
How to keep Clitoria Fairchildiana.
Light
The Philippine pigeonwings comes from open habitats, like sunlit meadows and forest edges, which provide plenty of light. It prefers full sun but can also tolerate partial sun, showing good adaptability to different light conditions.
Water
The Philippine pigeonwings thrive in high humidity and consistent moisture, similar to tropical conditions. Water the plant every 2 to 3 weeks, allowing the top layer of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Since it is an evergreen, careful watering during its growth cycles is essential to maintain its lush foliage and vibrant flowers.
Temperature
Philippine pigeonwings comes from tropical areas, where the climate is generally warm and humid. Consequently, it is well adapted to high heat and moisture. It does not tolerate sudden temperature changes and prefers a steady temperature environment, so avoiding indoor temperature fluctuations is important. It typically cannot withstand cold and needs warmer conditions to grow. If the surrounding temperature falls too low, the plant may stop growing or even die.
Fertilizer
The best time to fertilize a Philippine pigeonwings is in early spring, when it comes out of dormancy. This supports overall growth and the development of flowers. Fertilization improves the foliage, stems, and branches, and encourages flowers that are large, vivid, and long-lasting. It helps transfer nutrients from the roots to the flowers and enhances the plant’s health and resistance to disease.
Pruning
The Philippine pigeonwings plant is known for its striking blue flowers and rapid growth. To maintain its health and encourage flowering, it's important to prune it from early to late winter. Pruning removes dead branches and helps manage the plant's spread, enhancing both its appearance and overall health.
Botanical profile.
- Plant Type
- Tree
- Life Cycle
- Perennial
- Genus
- Clitoria
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 10-12
- Mature Height
- 3.66 m to 9.14 m
- Mature Spread
- 10.06 m to 14.94 m
- Leaf Color
- Dark Green, Forest Green
- Leaf Type
- Evergreen
- Flower Color
- Lavender
- Flower Size
- 7.62 cm to 10.16 cm
- Bloom Time
- Summer, Early fall, Mid fall
- Planting Time
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Harvest Time
- Late summer, Fall, Early winter
- Native Area
- Brazil, Colombia
Other names.
Reader questions.
What are the sunlight requirements for Philippine pigeonwings?
Philippine pigeonwings, botanically known as Clitoria fairchildiana, thrives in environments that provide full to partial sun. Full sun exposure implies the plant should receive above 6 hours of sunlight daily, while partial sun means about 3-6 hours of sunlight. It's important to observe how sunlight moves through your garden to find spots that offer the right balance of light and shade, ensuring your plants' growth and happiness. Originally from open environments like sunny meadows and forest edges, Philippine pigeonwings is adaptable to varying sunlight conditions, making it versatile for garden placement.
How can artificial lighting be used for Philippine pigeonwings indoors?
In cases where natural sunlight is insufficient, especially during winter or in less sunny spaces, artificial lighting becomes essential for the growth of Philippine pigeonwings indoors. Selecting the right type of artificial light is crucial, with LED lights being a popular choice due to their ability to provide specific wavelengths needed by plants. For optimal growth, full sun plants require 30-50W/sq ft of artificial light, partial sun plants need 20-30W/sq ft, and full shade plants require 10-20W/sq ft. The artificial light source should be placed 12-36 inches above the plant to mimic natural sunlight as closely as possible. Moreover, most plants, including Philippine pigeonwings, need 8-12 hours of artificial light per day to mimic natural daylight hours effectively.
What are the symptoms of insufficient light in Philippine pigeonwings?
When Philippine pigeonwings is grown indoors or under suboptimal lighting conditions, it may exhibit several symptoms indicative of light deficiency. These include smaller new leaves, indicating a deviation from normal growth, leggy or sparse growth resulting in a stretched-out appearance, and faster leaf drop as the plant conserves resources for new leaves. Other symptoms can include slower or no new growth, lighter-colored new leaves due to lack of chlorophyll, and chlorosis where leaves lose their green color and turn yellow. Excessive sunlight, on the other hand, can cause symptoms such as sunscald, leaf curling as a defense mechanism, wilting due to water loss, and leaf scorching characterized by brown, dry patches on leaves.
How can light exposure be optimized for Philippine pigeonwings?
To ensure Philippine pigeonwings receives optimal light, gradually transitioning the plant to a sunnier location can be beneficial. For indoor plants, moving them closer to a south-facing window and keeping curtains open maximizes sunlight exposure. If the plant is large or not easily movable, consider supplementing with artificial light for at least 8 hours a day. For outdoor plants, moving them to sunnier spots over a period helps them adapt without experiencing sunburn. Removing obstructions that block sunlight and, if necessary, transplanting smaller plants during their dormant period to a location with ample sunlight and good drainage are also effective strategies. Keep in mind that parts of the plant damaged by insufficient sunlight may not recover, but new growth should be healthy with increased light exposure.
