Buddleja madagascariensis

Buddleja madagascariensis
Buddleja madagascariensis in Hawaii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Buddlejaceae
Genus: Buddleja
Species: B. madagascariensis
Binomial name
Buddleja madagascariensis
Lam.
Synonyms

Buddleja madagascariensis, also known as smokebush, is an evergreen shrub endemic to Madagascar, where it grows amongst scrub on mountain slopes to elevations of 600–2,000 metres (2,000–6,600 ft).[1] The species was first named and described by Lamarck in 1792, and introduced to cultivation in 1827.[2] Popular around the world as an ornamental, B. madagascariensis has widely naturalized and is now classified as an invasive species in Hawaii and New Zealand;[3] it can also be found growing wild in southern China,[4] and along the Mediterranean coast of France.[5]

The shrub was accorded the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society (record 688) in 2002.[5]

Description

Buddleja madagascariensis makes a sparse, lax shrub < 4 metres (13 ft) in height. The dark green leaves are opposite, narrowly ovate, < 12 cm long, with petioles < 2 cm long, the surface bearing impressed reticulate venation, and densely pubescent. The fragrant flowers form slender terminal panicles < 25 centimetres (9.8 in) long, and range in colour from deep yellow, through orange, to pink.[5]

Cultivation

Buddleja madagascariensis is cultivated as an ornamental plant. Intolerant of 'sub-zero' (< 32°F) temperatures, it can only reliably be grown outdoors in subtropical and tropical climate gardens, such as those of Southern California and Florida in the USA, although in temperate coastal regions it can survive on south-facing walls, with added winter frost protection. Elsewhere, it is essentially a conservatory and greenhouse plant. The shrub is grown under glass as part of the NCCPG National Collection of Buddleja held by the Longstock Park Nursery, near Stockbridge, Hampshire, England. Hardiness: RHS H2, USDA zones 9 – 10.[5]

Hybrids

The species Buddleja madagascariensis was crossed with Buddleja asiatica to create the hybrid cultivars Buddleja 'Lewisiana' and 'Margaret Pike'.[5] It was also found to have naturally hybridized with Buddleja indica in the Grand Bassin of Réunion, an island 200 kilometres (120 mi) east of Madagascar [6]

References

  1. ↑ USDA . accessed 11.11.2011
  2. ↑ Hillier & Sons. (1990). Hillier's Manual of Trees & Shrubs, 5th Edition.. David & Charles, Newton Abbot.
  3. ↑ ISSG accessed 11.11.2011
  4. ↑ Li, P. T. & Leeuwenberg, A. J. M. (1996). Loganiaceae, in Wu, Z. & Raven, P. (eds) Flora of China, Vol. 15. Science Press, Beijing, and Missouri Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis, USA. ISBN 978-0915279371 online at www.efloras.org
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Stuart, D. D. (2006). Buddlejas. RHS Plant Collector Guide. Timber Press, Oregon. ISBN 978-0-88192-688-0
  6. ↑ Leeuwenberg, A. J. M. (1979) The Loganiaceae of Africa XVIII Buddleja L. II, Revision of the African & Asiatic species. H. Veenman & Zonen B. V., Nederland.

External links

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