SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 6731.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "6731" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Rio Grande butterflybush

Scientific Name: Buddleja sessiliflora

Family: Buddlejaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Shrub

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Rio Grande Butterfly-bush (Buddleja sessiliflora)

Buddleja sessiliflora, commonly known as Rio Grande Butterfly-bush or Tepozn, is a perennial shrub native to the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Its vibrant blooms attract a variety of pollinators, making it a valuable addition to gardens focused on supporting local ecosystems.

Considerations for Pets

  • Given its classification as a shrub, this plant may develop woody stems or branches as it matures.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Buddleja sessiliflora Kunth
  • Common Names: Rio Grande Butterfly-bush, Tepozn, Butterfly Bush, Tepozan, Rio Grande butterflybush
  • Family: Buddlejaceae (formerly Scrophulariaceae, figwort family)
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species
  • Synonyms: The text mentions National Butterfly Center - Mission, TX, indicating a location associated with the plant, which might relate to its formal botanical description or study.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Primarily found in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, including areas near the Rio Grande in Mission, Texas.
  • Native to this region, and efforts are underway to make native butterfly plants more available.
  • Specific locations include the Rio Grande Veterans Memorial Park and the National Butterfly Center in Mission, TX.

Ecological Role

  • Attracts butterflies and other pollinators, enhancing local biodiversity.
  • The text contrasts it with Buddleja davidii, an invasive butterfly bush, implying B. sessiliflora is a more ecologically sound choice for the region.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Growth Habit: Shrub, reaching up to 4 meters in height.
  • Leaves: Dimorphic, with lower leaves being ovate (12-23 cm long) and upper leaves elliptic or lanceolate (shorter).
  • Inflorescence: Characterized by 5-15 compact cymes.

Quirky Facts

  • The plant is sometimes referred to as "tepozn verde" in Spanish, adding a local flavor to its identification.
  • The text mentions volunteers working with plants like goat bush, thorn scrub and butterfly bush, indicating its place within local ecological restoration efforts.
  • The mention of creating trees from butterfly bush flowers (in a model train context) is an interesting and unusual factoid.

Further Information

  • The text references the USDA, the National Butterfly Center, and Dave's Garden, which could serve as resources for further research.