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orange eye butterflybush
Scientific Name: Buddleja davidii
Family: Buddlejaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Shrub
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Buddleja davidii: The Butterfly Bush
Buddleja davidii, often misspelled as Buddleia davidii, is commonly known as summer lilac, butterfly-bush, or orange eye. This flowering plant has gained popularity for its attractiveness to butterflies and its ornamental value in gardens.
Considerations for Pets
- This plant has been reported to spread rapidly, potentially indicating vigorous growth and a robust nature.
Considerations for Children
- This plant has been reported to spread rapidly, potentially indicating vigorous growth and a robust nature.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Buddleja davidii (spelling variant Buddleia davidii)
- Family: Buddlejaceae (formerly Scrophulariaceae)
- Common Names: Summer lilac, butterfly-bush, orange eye
- Synonyms/Alternative Names: Orange eye butterflybush, orange-eye butterfly-bush, orange-eye butterflybush, purple buddleia, orange-eye butterfly bush.
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to southwestern China (Sichuan and Hubei provinces) and Japan.
- Introduced to North America around 1900 as an ornamental shrub.
Ecological Role
- Known to be invasive in many habitats, including roadsides. It can escape from plantings and spread rapidly.
- Class B noxious weed in Washington State.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Multi-stemmed shrub or small tree.
- Can grow 3-12 feet in height with a spread of 4-15 feet.
- Deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub ranging from 3 ft to 10 ft.
- Open, rangy growth habit.
- Flowers are often lilac or purple with orange centers ("orange eye"). Flowers can be lavender/blue flowers with orange eye.
- Silvery-green foliage in some varieties.
- Flower spikes are composed of tiny lilac flowers with orange eyes.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Attracts butterflies and other insect pollinators.
- Birds and bees visit butterfly bush for nectar.
Quirky Facts
- Some varieties have cream-yellow flowers with a deeper orange eye.
- Hard pruning in early spring can result in a more compact plant and more flowering branches.
Further Information
- Dave's Garden (a community sharing gardening tips and ideas).
- USDA (for common names and plant information).
- Wikimedia Commons (for images).
- NEW JERSEY INVASIVE SPECIES STRIKE TEAM www.njisst.org.