The bright to pale blue flowers of Clitoria ternatea grow solitary or in pairs from leaf axils. A long flower tube covered by the narrow green calyx forms the base of the flower; dry bracts are also present. The plant has been referred to as an upside down pea, an appellation that may help to comprehend the flower structure.

One elongated, oval-shaped petal dominates the flower, holding the rest of the flower in a shallow bowl, a shape that suggests the origin of the generic name. There are parallel veins radiating out from the base of the main petal. Its colour is pale yellow in the centre, white around that and blue nearer the margin. Darker blue colouring is seen on the margin of the main petal near its base, as well as on the tips of the secondary ones.

Flowers may measure 4 cm in length, 3 cm in width. The plant sometimes flowers profusely, becoming conspicuous in its habitat. The seeds grow in flat green pods (Blundell, 1987; iSpot).