| Buddleia | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||
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| Species | ||||||||||||
| Buddleia davidii |
Buddleia is a genus of flowering shrub. It was previously classified as part of the Loganiaceae family, but is now within Buddlejaceae.
The plant was named after the Reverend Adam Buddle who was a botanist and a rector in Essex, England.
This is a popular garden plant, and as an escape it is a great coloniser of dry open ground. It is frequently seen beside railway lines and on derelict factory sites, although it is not able to survive the harsh winters of northern continental climates.
Buddleias are commonly known as the Butterfly Bush due to their attraction to butterflies. The most popular species is Buddleia davidii, named for the naturalist Pere David. This, like most garden varieties, originates from China, but other species occur elsewhere in temperate and subtropical areas. The Rev. Buddle's species was African.