Buddleja alternifolia
Encyclopedia
Buddleja alternifolia is a species endemic to Kansu, China
, where it grows along river banks in thickets at elevations of 1,500 - 4,000 m. First described and named by Carl Maximowicz
in 1880, the plant was not introduced to cultivation until 1915, by Purdom and Farrer
.
, and lanceolate
, 4 - 10 cm long by 0.6 - 1 cm wide, glabrous
and dark green above. The inflorescence
s are bright lilac-purple, and comprise flowers so densely crowded in clusters along the branch as to often obscure it. Flowering occurs in early summer; the flowers are fragrant, but less so than other buddlejas such as davidii
.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, where it grows along river banks in thickets at elevations of 1,500 - 4,000 m. First described and named by Carl Maximowicz
Carl Maximowicz
Carl Johann Maximowicz was a Russian botanist. Maximowicz spent most of his life studying the flora of the countries he had visited in the Far East, and naming many new species...
in 1880, the plant was not introduced to cultivation until 1915, by Purdom and Farrer
Reginald Farrer
Reginald John Farrer , was a traveller and plant collector. He published a number of books, although is best known for My Rock Garden...
.
Description
B. alternifolia is a vigorous shrub reaching 5 m tall with long, slender, pendulous stems, closely resembling a weeping willow when not in flower. The leaves are alternate, entireLeaf shape
In botany, leaf shape is characterised with the following terms :* Acicular : Slender and pointed, needle-like* Acuminate : Tapering to a long point...
, and lanceolate
Leaf shape
In botany, leaf shape is characterised with the following terms :* Acicular : Slender and pointed, needle-like* Acuminate : Tapering to a long point...
, 4 - 10 cm long by 0.6 - 1 cm wide, glabrous
Glabrousness
Glabrousness is the technical term for an anatomically atypical lack of hair, down, or similar structures...
and dark green above. The inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
s are bright lilac-purple, and comprise flowers so densely crowded in clusters along the branch as to often obscure it. Flowering occurs in early summer; the flowers are fragrant, but less so than other buddlejas such as davidii
Buddleja davidii
Buddleja davidii , also called summer lilac, butterfly-bush, or orange eye, is a native of Sichuan and Hubei provinces in central China and of Japan. It is widely used as an ornamental plant, and many named varieties are in cultivation. B...
.
Varieties
- 'Argentea'. An uncommon form with leaves covered by adpressed silky hairs bestowing a silvery sheen.