In vitro Propagation of Clitoria ternatea L., A Valuable Medicinal Plant

Tissue culture studies of Clitoria ternatea L. is reported here which is commonly known as ‘butterfly pea’ and “shankhapushpi”. It is a traditional Ayurvedic medicinal plant belonging to the family Fabaceae. The drug ‘shankhapushpum’ of Ayurveda consists of the roots and seeds of Clitoria ternatea L. and is used as a ‘tonic of the nerves’, alternative and laxative. The leaves and roots are used in the treatment. In vitro propagation is an alternative method of propagation which can aid its conservation. The explants are cultured on MS medium containing different concentration and combinations of growth regulators like 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). Multiple shoot buds were regenerated successfully from the nodal explants and efficiently rooted on half strength MS medium supplemented with IBA. The regenerated plantlets were successfully transferred to the glasshouse, acclimatized and transferred to the field.