Buddleja incana explained

Buddleja incana is a species of shrub or tree in the family Scrophulariaceae. It is native to the Andes.[1]

Description

Buddleja incana is a dioecious tree or shrub, 4  - 15 m tall, the trunk < 50  cm at the base, the bark brownish and furrowed. The branches are subquadrangular and tomentose, and form a rounded crown. The coriaceous leaves are mostly oblong, 7  - 21 cm long by 1  - 5 cm wide, the upper surface glabrescent, often bullate or rugose, the lower white or yellowish tomentose. The yellow to orange paniculate inflorescences have 2  - 3 orders of leafy-bracted branches bearing heads 1  - 1.5 cm in diameter, each with 15  - 40 flowers, the corollas 3  - 4 mm long. Ploidy: 2n = 76.[1]

Distribution and habitat

Buddleja incana is present in Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, growing in canyon bottoms along streams at elevations of 2,700  - 4,500 m.

Vernacular names

Buddleja incana is called kiswar in Quechua,[2] [3] kiswara in Aymara,[4] quishuar in Spanish.[5]

Uses

The leaves are used in folk medicine against toothache and as diuretic.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Norman, E. M. (2000). Buddlejaceae. Flora Neotropica 81. New York Botanical Garden, USA
  2. Teofilo Laime Ajacopa, Diccionario Bilingüe Iskay simipi yuyayk'ancha, La Paz, 2007 (Quechua-Spanish dictionary)
  3. Diccionario Quechua - Español - Quechua, Academía Mayor de la Lengua Quechua, Gobierno Regional Cusco, Cusco 2005 (Quechua-Spanish dictionary)
  4. Yatiqirinaka Aru Pirwa, Lima, 2005 (Aymara-Spanish dictionary)
  5. Book: Meza, Mario Vargas. Ecología y biodiversidad del Ecuador. 2002. M. Vargas. 9789978424032. 197, 210. es.