Beautiful wings of Christia vespertilionis

Posted by Jacqueline on September 26th, 2007 in Plants database

Christia vespertilionis (Mariposa, Red Butterfly Wing)

Christia vespertilionis (Red Butterfly Wing) in our garden, April 30 2008Our potted Christia vespertilionis (Red Butterfly Wing), shot Oct 5 2011Another fabulous plant to add to one’s garden.

Our first Christia vespertilionis seedling arrived in our garden in December 2004 and its descendants are still scattering their seeds all over our garden till today, like the pretty Torenia fournieri!

How wonderful!…and for only a couple of Malaysian Ringgit, mind you! :D

Its fabulous foliage color and formation fascinates and captivates us so! Such delicateness and elegance as the plant dance in the gentle breeze! Lovely! :)

Plant Profile, Culture and Propagation :

  • Botanical Name: Beautiful foliage of our potted Christia vespertilionis (Mariposa, Red Butterfly Wing), shot Oct 12 2011Christia vespertilionis (synonym: Hedysarum vespertilionis, Lourea vespertilionis)
  • Common Name: Mariposa, Red Butterfly Wing, Island Pea, Aircraft/Bat Grass
  • Family name: Fabaceae/Leguminosae
  • Plant type: An ornamental herbaceous shrub, originating from Southeast Asia and Brazil
  • Light:Prefers sunlight for best foliage colour though can tolerate semi-shade to full-shade.
  • Moisture: Needs regular water for optimum growth
  • Soil: Seedheads, seeds and seedlings of Christia vespertilionis in our garden from Nov 2011-March 2012Grows best in well-drained loamy soil.
  • Propagation: Can be propagated from herbaceous stem cuttings or germination of seeds which may take 4-8 weeks to sprout (remove dried seedheads from plant, break open and scatter the tiny seeds on moist potting mix).
    Or allow the plant to self-sow – we weren’t surprised at all by the many seedlings found sprouting around the parent plant or elsewhere in surrounding pots.
  • Features: Christia vespertilionis and other plants in our garden Potted Christia vespertilionis (Mariposa, Red Butterfly Wing) flourishing well in our garden, May 24 2015A deciduous annual or perennial shrub reaching a height of about 60-120cm and width of 50cm.
    Though seemingly fragile as a spindly plant and needs staking when it becomes too tall, it is robust and sways with the wind unscathed! Christia vespertilionis is grown for its beautiful variegated foliage.
    Christia vespertilionis (Mariposa, Red Butterfly Wing), with focus on its tiny flowers, May 30 2015Leaves held on thin wiry petioles are in rare burgundy red tones and prominently veined in medium shades of pink. The foliage does appear in beautiful hues of purple. Sizes vary from 5-9 cm at its broadest.
    They are uniquely patterned like beautiful wings of a butterfly or wingspan of an aircraft or even resembling a swallow with spread wings.
    Our potted Christia vespertilionis (Mariposa, Red Butterfly Wings, Island Pea, Aircraft/Bat Grass), Oct 11 2011No wonder, this lovely plant is commonly named Butterfly Wing, Aircraft Grass or Bat Grass.
    Leaves hang downward (droop) during the night. Inconspicuous and small white or off-white flowers and seeds appear on slender raceme of 5-15 cm lengths at terminal growth.
  • Usage: Red Butterfly Wing plant is most ideal in garden beds and borders to add variety, color and height.
    Christia vespertilionis, self-seeded and happily sharing pot space with a Croton that was propagated from stem cutting. Captured in September 24, 2007Great too for garden landscaping.
    And excellent for container gardening and as an indoor plant for patios, decks or porches, though best located where it can receive at least some indirect light.
  • Care: A low maintenance shrub that requires minimal attention. Light pruning if necessary to keep it low. Though hardly bothered by pests, do check occasionally for white flies to prevent infestation.
  • For temperate zones: Hardiness: USDA Zone 10a-11.

There are many Christia vespertilionis cultivars, though the only other that I’ve seen besides the kind we grow is with green leaves and marked with deep maroon veins. Quite a pretty one too, I’d say! View more Christia vespertilionis images that include other coloured varieties at images.google.com!

Hooray!! We extremely delighted that we sighted several pots of the Green Butterfly Wing at Cactus Point, Cameron Highlands during our recent vacation. Of course, we grabbed a pot that costs us only RM9.50 as we’ve lusted for this beauty for ages! Finally, it’s part of our garden collection. Sharing below a couple of images…

Christia vespertilionis (Green Butterfly Wing), 6 Oct. 2016 in our garden Christia vespertilionis (Green Butterfly Wing) that was recently added to our garden, 6 Oct. 2016

Last edited: October 8, 2016

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25 Responses to “Beautiful wings of Christia vespertilionis”

  1. Saw Says:
    August 31st, 2008 at 12:06 am

    Hi,

    just wonder if you notice that the leaves will fold down at night ? that was what caught my attention and wanted to plant it in my garden.

    sadly, it is hard to find more info about the plant until i saw your site.

    thanks.

  2. Jacqueline Says:
    September 1st, 2008 at 10:51 pm

    Hi Saw!
    No, I had not realized the leaves hang down during the night. Just rushed out into our garden to see their drooping form for the first time! ;)
    Thanks for the info.

  3. Harish Says:
    September 18th, 2009 at 7:18 pm

    Every body bwould like to keep this…..

  4. jürgen Says:
    December 5th, 2009 at 4:02 am

    hi!

    i’m interested in seeds of the beautiful christia, but i can’t find them anywhere. can you send me seeds to austria?

    gtx

  5. Jacqueline Says:
    December 8th, 2009 at 12:06 pm

    Sorry to disappoint, jurgen….we’re not a garden nursery, just home-gardeners!

  6. Deborah Ellis Says:
    March 31st, 2010 at 2:43 pm

    Hello
    I had this plant. It came fell under the attack of an evil cat and it never came back. I cried. The cat is now on a farm. I am searching for this plant. This plant moved to my fan in my bedroom. Like leaves in flight. I loved it so much. It was fine without light although I did mist it twice a day to keep it moist and talked to it everytday. If i could even try to start some more of seeds i would be so indebted to you. PLEASE help me,,,,,,i miss it so much.

  7. Autumn Belle Says:
    March 23rd, 2011 at 3:08 pm

    Hi, Jacqueline. I have linked to you in my post about this plant. My link is here:

    http://www.mynicegarden.com/2011/03/christia-vespertilionis-red-butterfly.html

    Great joy here!

  8. Jacqueline Says:
    March 24th, 2011 at 11:56 pm

    Thanks a lot, A. Belle! Will visit you shortly.

  9. Deborah Ellis Says:
    April 17th, 2014 at 1:20 pm

    Hi
    I an still looking for this plant. I loved it so much. Could I please buy some seeds or an offspring from anyone having it? Thank you

  10. Norhanim Says:
    August 6th, 2014 at 6:53 pm

    hi, I’m interested to have this plant but the one with green colour leaves..do you have suggestion where can I find them?

  11. Jacqueline Says:
    August 6th, 2014 at 8:43 pm

    No idea, Norhanim! Sorry to disappoint.

  12. Bangihijau Says:
    February 25th, 2015 at 12:37 pm

    Nice blossoms flower you have.. How can I get the seeds.. Highly appreciated.. Pls update me asap.. Thanks.. [email protected]..

  13. gadafi Says:
    February 25th, 2015 at 9:25 pm

    Hi Jacqueline…

    I was wondering where can u get this plant in Malaysia?

    Thanks and regards

  14. Jacqueline Says:
    February 26th, 2015 at 11:45 am

    Hi gadafi… you can buy this plant at some of the Sungai Buloh nurseries along Jalan Sungai Buloh in Selangor.

  15. Jacqueline Says:
    February 26th, 2015 at 11:48 am

    Thanks Bangihijau. Sorry, not sure where you can get the seeds.

  16. khairul Says:
    March 21st, 2015 at 8:38 am

    Hi Jacqueline,

    I’m also looking for this..but in green color.

    Hope you can update to us where we can find this plant with green color leaves.

  17. Jacqueline Says:
    March 21st, 2015 at 12:52 pm

    Hi Khairul,
    So sorry… I’ve no idea at all where you can buy the green-coloured variety.

  18. suhaili ismail Says:
    February 17th, 2016 at 11:56 am

    hi jacqueline,

    i have green butterfly wings plant
    but now i’m so concern on why the leaves so easily fall out & yellowing ?
    still learning on how to save the seeds & re-plant it

    *your tips on how to care for the plants is highly appreciated

  19. Jacqueline Says:
    February 17th, 2016 at 12:39 pm

    Hi Suhaili,
    What I’ve observed is that its leaves easily dry up and fall during very hot seasons. So, best to provide lots of water, but must be grown in well-drained soil to prevent water-logged, and enough sunlight (preferably morning to noon) but not harsh full sun in the afternoon.
    Hope this helps.

  20. Avanindra Jha Says:
    May 9th, 2016 at 9:56 pm

    I saw this plant in 1992 at first. After then i bought this plant several times. I notice that the plant is very sensitive, perhaps this plant recognise its mentor (gardener) and it wants more attention. In absence of gardener it change itss colour (as my wife said ) It is true that leaves will fold down at night.

  21. Jacqueline Says:
    May 10th, 2016 at 10:27 am

    Hi Avanindra,
    It’s a beautiful plant and we love that it self-sow easily till this day in our tropical garden. Hope your plant does that for you. It grows best when provided with lots of water, but must be grown in well-drained soil to prevent water-logged, and enough sunlight (preferably morning) for vibrant colour.

  22. Diana Says:
    June 1st, 2016 at 8:51 am

    My plant has only 1 long stem (it grown from seed) and it keep growing taller and taller. Can I cut off the top 2 leave so that it can grow with more branches? Will that hurt the plant? Thank you for your advice.

  23. Jacqueline Says:
    June 1st, 2016 at 10:21 am

    Hi Diana,
    Yes, you can prune it to about a foot from its base to encourage more branches. It wouldn’t hurt the plant as it likes a ‘haircut’ occasionally.
    All the best and may you plant grow to self-sow more plants for you to enjoy!

  24. Diana Says:
    June 1st, 2016 at 10:43 am

    Many thanks for your kind reply, Jacqueline :)

  25. Mubarak Shaik Says:
    September 20th, 2018 at 3:33 am

    Hi Jacqueline,
    I’m a fellow Gardner in Zone 8, looking for this plant since longtime and I came across your site. Can you please guide me where to find seeds or plants in USA ? Thanks for sharing Beautiful pictures and information.
    Sincerely,

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