How to identify Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii)
Butterfly bush, also known as Orange-eye butterfly bush, Swallowtail butterfly
Butterfly bush is distinguished by its hardy, cane-like growth and the capacity to flourish with new blooms from summer until the first frost. This shrub is characterized by its opposing, simple leaves which are notably tomentose, having a fuzzy underside. The leaves typically arrange themselves oppositely along the stems. A striking feature is its terminal inflorescences, forming in showy panicles. These clusters of flowers can drastically enhance the visual appeal of the plant. Pruning in late winter encourages optimal flowering.
Lifespan: Perennial
Plant Type: Shrub
Leaf Type: Deciduous
Opposing, tomentose leaves with fuzzy undersides
Terminal inflorescences in showy panicles
Trumpet-shaped flowers with orange-yellow throat
Small, two-valved capsules with 3 million seeds
Distinctly four-sided, flexible stem with opposite branching
The leaves of butterfly bush are opposite, simple, and lance-shaped, ranging from 4 to 10 inches (10 to 25 cm) in length. They feature an ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate shape with a sharply pointed tip. The upper side is dark green and smooth, while the underside is marked by soft white hairs. The leaves have a serrate margin and the petiole is very short. The upper surface is glabrous, enhancing the leaf's contrasting textures.
The flowers of butterfly bush are small and trumpet-shaped, measuring 0.28 - 0.35 inches (7 - 9 mm) wide. They are typically purple but can also be white, featuring a distinctive orange-yellow throat. These fragrant flowers are arranged in branched, conical-shaped inflorescences, reaching 8 - 18 inches (20 - 46 cm) in length, typically found at the branch tips. The best blooms appear following severe pruning in late winter. Each flower's stamens are enclosed within the corolla.
The stem of butterfly bush is distinctly four-sided and flexible. It exhibits a tendency to bend in an arch, particularly when supporting a large inflorescence. The texture is somewhat rough, and the coloration can vary from green to brownish with age. The stem's diameter typically ranges from 0.31 to 0.47 inches (8 to 12 mm). A notable feature includes its pronounced internodes and opposite branching pattern, which are crucial for identification.
The fruit of butterfly bush appears as a two-valved, septicidal capsule, both dry and dehiscent. It measures approximately 1/4 to 1/3 inch (6 to 8 mm) in length and presents an elliptically elongated or ovoid shape. The capsules are characterized by their narrow dimensions. Each year, an individual seedling of butterfly bush is capable of producing an impressive quantity of seeds, with estimates around 3 million. These prolific seeds are nestled within the notably slender fruit structure, contributing to the plant's high potential for distribution and reproduction.
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Scientific Classification of Butterfly bush
