Buddleja davidii var. superba explained

Buddleja davidii var. superba is endemic to the Yunnan province of western China.^[1] The taxonomy of the plant and the other five davidii varieties has been challenged in recent years. Leeuwenberg sank them all as synonyms, considering them to be within the natural variation of a species,^[2] a treatment adopted in the Flora of China published in 1996.^[3]

Description

Buddleja davidii var. superba is chiefly distinguished by the size of its fragrant, violet-purple panicles, which are more than double the length of those of the type, and even longer than those of magnifica. The plant is otherwise like the type.^[1]

Cultivation

Buddleja davidii var. superba is not known to remain in cultivation.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Stuart, D. D. (2006). Buddlejas. RHS Plant Collector Guide. Timber Press, Oregon.
2. Leeuwenberg, A.J.M. (1979). The Loganiaceae of Africa XVIII Buddleja L. II. Revision of the African and Asiatic species. Mededelingen Landbouwhogeschool Wageningen, Nederland
3. Li, P-T. & Leeuwenberg, A. J. M. (1996). Loganiaceae, in Wu, Z. & Raven, P. (eds) Flora of China, Vol. 15, p. 335. Science Press, Beijing, and Missouri Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis, USA. online at www.efloras.org
4. Web site: Multisite search page. websites.rbge.org.uk.