Buddleja davidii
From Bugwoodwiki
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Overview
- Appearance
- Buddleja davidii is a deciduous shrub that is 3-15 ft. (1-5 m) tall with arching stems.
- Foliage
- The leaves are opposite, 6-10 in. (15-25 cm) long, velvety and lanced-shaped.
- Flowers
- Flowering occurs from May to August, when dense clusters of tubular flowers develop. These flowers have 4 petals and can be purple, white or pink. The flowers produce high quantities of nectar and are attractive to butterflies, hence the common name.
- Fruit
- The developing pods are small upright ovate pods, which may not be readily visible through the remnants of the flower. When mature, the pods area a dark brown and opened at the tip. The seeds are dust-like particles which can easily be distributed by the wind.
- Ecological Threat
- Buddleja davidii readily invades disturbed sites and riparian areas. Although butterflies will use this plant as a nectar source their larvae cannot survive on it. By replacing native larval food source plants butterflybush can have a negative impact on wildlife.
Resources
Global Invasive Species Database. 2011. Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) of the IUCN Species Survival Commission [1]
King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks Water and Land Resources Division [2]
USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Staff, Newtown Square, PA Weed of the Week [3]
Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation [4]
University of Connecticutt Database of Trees, Shrubs and Vines [5]
University of California, Jepson Flora Project[6]
CABI Invasive Species Compendium[7]
Oregon Department of Agriculture [8]
USDA NRCS PLANTS [9]
USDA ARS GRIN [10]
Wildscreen Arkive[11]
Images from Bugwood.org
