Buddleja salviifolia
Encyclopedia
Buddleja salviifolia, common name sage bush, is a large shrub endemic to much of southern Africa
, where it grows on rocky hillsides, along forest margins and watercourses. The species was described and named by Lamarck in 1792.
. The distinctive leaves, with their rugose
upper surfaces, bear a resemblance to those of sage
, hence the specific epithet. The leaf has no petiole
; it is heavily lobed at the base, narrowly tapering to the apex. The flowers range in colour from white, through cream and mauve to purple; the corollas relatively short, at just 4 mm. The inflorescence
s comprise terminal conical heads approximately 12 × 8 cm, with occasional auxiliary heads appearing in autumn. However, the most striking feature of the flowers is considered to be their scent, judged by some to the best of all the buddlejas, and even bearing comparison with Chanel
perfume.
Nursery, near Stockbridge
in Hampshire
.
s and fishing rods. Otherwise, it is used as fuel, and for hedging.
'Plantfinder' http://apps.rhs.org.uk/rhsplantfinder/.
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, where it grows on rocky hillsides, along forest margins and watercourses. The species was described and named by Lamarck in 1792.
Description
Buddleja salviifolia is a large, semi-evergreen shrub, multi-stemmed, with untidy, drooping branches, typically reaching a height of 4 - 8 m. The bark is grey-brown and stringy. The shoots are quadrangular in section, and covered with a dense reddish-brown indumentumIndumentum
The indumentum is a covering of fine hairs or bristles on a plant or insect.In plants, the indumentum types are:*pubescent*hirsute*pilose*villous*tomentose*stellate*scabrous*scurfy...
. The distinctive leaves, with their rugose
Rugose
Rugose means "wrinkled". It may refer to:*Idiosoma nigrum, more commonly, a black rugose trapdoor spider*Rugosa, an extinct order of coral, whose rugose shape earned it the name...
upper surfaces, bear a resemblance to those of sage
Common sage
Salvia officinalis is a small, perennial, evergreen subshrub, with woody stems, grayish leaves, and blue to purplish flowers. It is a member of the family Lamiaceae and is native to the Mediterranean region, though it has naturalized in many places throughout the world...
, hence the specific epithet. The leaf has no petiole
Petiole (botany)
In botany, the petiole is the stalk attaching the leaf blade to the stem. The petiole usually has the same internal structure as the stem. Outgrowths appearing on each side of the petiole are called stipules. Leaves lacking a petiole are called sessile, or clasping when they partly surround the...
; it is heavily lobed at the base, narrowly tapering to the apex. The flowers range in colour from white, through cream and mauve to purple; the corollas relatively short, at just 4 mm. 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 comprise terminal conical heads approximately 12 × 8 cm, with occasional auxiliary heads appearing in autumn. However, the most striking feature of the flowers is considered to be their scent, judged by some to the best of all the buddlejas, and even bearing comparison with Chanel
Chanel
Chanel S.A. is a French fashion house founded by the couturier Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, well established in haute couture, specializing in luxury goods . She gained the name "Coco" while maintaining a career as a singer at a café in France...
perfume.
Cultivation
The species is relatively common in cultivation. Moderately frost hardy and tolerant of dry soils, it is grown in the UK, however its large size and ungainly habit, in the worst buddleja 'bent hatstand' tradition, render it a choice for the larger garden only. Several specimens form part of the NCCPG national collection held by Longstock ParkLongstock Park
Longstock Park is a country estate in the civil parish of Longstock in the Test Valley district of Hampshire, England. Formerly Longstock Manor, of medieval origins, it was purchased by Sir Joshua East in the nineteenth century. On his death, the estate passed to his sons Alfred and Arthur. In...
Nursery, near Stockbridge
Stockbridge, Hampshire
Stockbridge is a small town and civil parish in Hampshire, England. It has an acreage of and a population of little under 600 people according to the 2001 census in Hampshire, England. It lies on the River Test, in the Test Valley district and renowned for trout fishing. The A30 road goes through...
in Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
.
Uses
Decoctions of the plant are believed to have various medicinal benefits in its native lands. The wood, hard and heavy, has traditionally been used for assegaiAssegai
An assegai or assagai is a pole weapon used for throwing or hurling, usually a light spear or javelin made of wood and pointed with iron.-Iklwa:...
s and fishing rods. Otherwise, it is used as fuel, and for hedging.
Suppliers
B. salviifolia is in commerce in the UK and the USA. Suppliers in the UK can be found in the RHSRoyal Horticultural Society
The Royal Horticultural Society was founded in 1804 in London, England as the Horticultural Society of London, and gained its present name in a Royal Charter granted in 1861 by Prince Albert...
'Plantfinder' http://apps.rhs.org.uk/rhsplantfinder/.