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woolly butterflybush
Scientific Name: Buddleja marrubiifolia
Family: Buddlejaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Shrub
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Woolly Butterfly Bush
The Woolly Butterfly Bush (Buddleja marrubiifolia) is a striking shrub known for attracting butterflies and thriving in arid climates.
Considerations for Pets
- This shrub has velvety, ash-gray foliage.
- The leaves are described as serrate, meaning they have a saw-toothed edge.
Common Names
- Woolly Butterfly Bush
- Butterfly Bush
- Woolly Butterfly-bush
- Saffron
- Azafran
- Topocan
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Buddleja marrubiifolia
- Synonym: Buddleia marrubiifolia
- Family: Buddlejaceae (formerly Loganiaceae)
- Kingdom: (Not explicitly mentioned, but implicitly Plantae)
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to the Chihuahuan Desert region.
- Found from southwestern Texas into northern Mexico.
- Typically grows in arid areas along washes and canyons at elevations between 1,500 and 3,000 feet.
- Also grows well in southern and central Arizona.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- A perennial shrub, deciduous to almost evergreen.
- Grows into a rounded or irregular shape.
- Typically reaches a mature size of around 5 feet tall and wide, though some sources mention a height range of 3-6 feet.
- Has woolly, silver-gray foliage with leaves that are opposite, simple, and serrate.
- Produces small, ball-shaped clusters of eye-catching orange flowers from spring to fall.
- Foliage can become more silvery with reflected heat.
Ecological Role
- Highly attractive to butterflies.
Cultivation
- Drought-tolerant and requires low water use.
- Prefers full sun or part shade.
- Hardy to approximately 12-15 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Suitable for mass plantings, medians, and butterfly gardens.
Quirky Facts
- The text highlights that the foliage is "way beyond gray, beyond even silver... 'whiter'."
Further Information
- Dave's Garden
- RHS (Royal Horticultural Society)
- USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)
- www.mswn.com