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Buddleja davidii Franch.
| Family Name: | Scrophulariaceae |
| Synonyms: | Buddleja davidii var. alba, Buddleja davidii var. glabrescens, Buddleja davidii var. magnifica, Buddleja davidii var. nanhoensis, Buddleja davidii var. superba, Buddleja davidii var. veitchiana, Buddleja davidii var. wilsonii, Buddleja shaanxiensis, Buddleja shimidzuana, Buddleja striata, Buddleja striata var. zhouquensis, Buddleja variabilis, Buddleja variabilis var. magnifica, Buddleja variabilis var. nanhoensis, Buddleja variabilis var. prostrata, Buddleja variabilis var. superba, Buddleja variabilis var. veitchiana, Buddleja variabilis var. wilsonii |
| Common Name: | Butterfly Bush, Summer Lilac, Buddleia, Orange-Eyed Butterfly Bush, 大叶醉鱼草 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Weeping / Pendulous |
| Maximum Height | 1.8 m to 3.7 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 1.2 m to 4.6 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Northwestern China, Japan |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Riverine, Disturbed Area / Open Ground, Mountain) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Temperate, Mediterranean |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Woody shrub with a weeping form. It is semi-evergreen in tropical climates. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Opposite leaves are lance-shaped and often have a serrate leaf margin (15 - 25 cm long). The leaf is green on top, but whitish with downy hairs on the bottom. |
| Stems | Stems are four-sided and flexible. They tend to bend in an arch, especially under the weight of a large inflorescence. |
| Flowers | Flowers are small and trumpet-shaped (7 - 9 mm wide). They are usually purple (but sometimes white) with an orange-yellow throat. Flowers are arranged in a branched, conical-shaped inflorescence (20 - 46 cm long). Inflorescences occur at the branch tips. |
| Fruit | Dehiscent, dry fruit is known as a capsule (8 mm long). Fruit is narrowly ellipsoid or ovoid. One seedling can produce about 3 million seeds in one year. |
| Habitat | Thrives in disturbed areas that may be moist or dry. Occurs near roadsides, rivers and along rocky slopes. This plant is considered invasive in northwestern USA and New Zealand. |
| Cultivation | This species is easy-to-grow and requires little maintenance. Plant this species in well-drained soil. It grows best on nutrient rich soils, but also tolerates nutrient poor soils. This species grows aggressively, so control its spread by removing spent flowers before they produce seeds. To promote larger and more abundant blooms, hard prune and pinch off dead flowers. This species is susceptible to the beetle Mecysolobus erro (stem borer) and the weevil Cleopus japonicus (leaf chewer). |
| Etymology | The genus "Buddleja" was named after an English botanist named Adam Buddle (1660 - 1715). The species epithet "davidii" was named after a French Jesuit missionary named Pere Armand David (1826 - 1900) who also enjoyed studying nature. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: Black or green dyes can be extracted from the flowers, leaves and stems. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | This species is ideal for butterfly gardens. Its fragrant flowers will attract butterflies seeking nectar. Large specimens should be placed in the background. Consider planting this species alongside other butterfly nectar plants such as Pentas lanceolata, Lantana camara, and Stachytarpheta indica. You should also include host plants like Calotropis gigantea and Asclepias curassavica. This species can also be planted as a hedge or border. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant (Flowers) (Day) |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Invasive / Potentially Invasive |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Butterfly-Attracting, Bee-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee), Insects (Butterfly, Moth)) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Water), Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Poor Infertile Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Drought / Semi-Deciduous |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse |
| Typical Foliar Area | Notophyll ( 20.25cm2 - 45 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Tap Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple, White |
|---|---|
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Trumpet-shaped |
| Flower Size - Remarks | 7 - 9 mm long |
| Inflorescence Type | Cyme |
| Flowering Opening Time | Daytime |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 440 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1736 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
