Buddleja axillaris explained

Buddleja axillaris is a shrub endemic to Madagascar, the Comoro Islands, and Tanzania, growing in forests at elevations of 300 - 1400 m. The species was first named and described by Willdenow in 1827.[1]

Description

Buddleja axillaris is a sarmentose shrub 2 - 3 m in height, with quadrangular branchlets, often obscurely winged, and white-pubescent. The opposite leaves have thinly coriaceous ovate to narrowly elliptic blades, 6 - 30 cm long by 2 - 10 cm wide, acuminate or apiculate, abruptly narrowed at the base, minutely pilose above, but white-tomentose to subglabrous beneath, with mostly shallow crenate - dentate margins. The slender white or occasionally yellow inflorescences are axillary, solitary and thyrsoid 3 - 14 cm long by 1 - 4 cm wide, the corollas 5 - 17 mm long.[2]

The species is considered closely related to B. cuspidata and B. sphaerocalyx.

Cultivation

Buddleja axillaris is not common in cultivation.Hardiness

USDA zone 10.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Willdenow, (1827). Mant. 3: 97. 1827.
  2. Leeuwenberg, A. J. M. (1979). The Loganiceae of Africa XVIII - Buddleja LII, Revision of the African & Asiatic species. Mededelingen Landbouwhogeschool Wageningen, Nederland. 79 - 6 (1979).
  3. Stuart, D. (2006). Buddlejas. Plant Collector Guide. Timber Press, Oregon, USA.