Buddleja forrestii

Buddleja forrestii
B. forrestii inflorescence

Longstock Park Nursery.

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Genus: Buddleja
Species: B. forrestii
Binomial name
Buddleja forrestii
Diels
Synonyms
  • Buddleja cooperi W. W. Sm.
  • Buddleja forrestii var. gracilis Lingelsh.
  • Buddleja henryi Rehder et E. H. Wilson
  • Buddleja henryi var. glabrescens Marquand
  • Buddleja latiflora S. Y. Pao
  • Buddleja limitanea W. W. Sm.
  • Buddleja longifolia Gagnep.
  • Buddleja pterocaulis A. B. Jacks.
  • Buddleja subherbacea Keenan
  • Buddleja taliensis W. W. Sm.

Buddleja forrestii is a deciduous shrub or small tree widely distributed from India to western China. First described by Diels in 1912, he named the species for plant hunter George Forrest, who discovered the plant in Yunnan in 1904, and introduced it. [1][2]

Description

B. forrestii flower close-up

B. forrestii grows to < 6 m in height in the wild. The branches are tetragonous, and bear lanceolate leaves, which are opposite, < 25 cm long; the undersides covered with reddish-brown hairs. [1] The species is chiefly distinguished by its inflorescences, pendulous terminal panicles < 25 cm long comprising virtually scentless flowers which appear in late summer; their colour varies considerably, ranging from pale maroon, through mauve, and blue, to almost white.[2][3] Ploidy 2n = 114 (hexaploid). [4]

Cultivation

B. forrestii is not fully hardy in the UK, and best grown against a south-facing wall, or in pots which can be removed to the greenhouse or conservatory in winter. A specimen is grown as part of the NCCPG national collection at Longstock Park Nursery, near Stockbridge, Hampshire.[5] Hardiness: USDA zones 89. [1]

Hybrids and cultivars

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Stuart, D. (2006). Buddlejas. RHS Plant Collector Guide. Timber Press, Oregon, USA. ISBN 978-0-88192-688-0
  2. 2.0 2.1 Bean, W. J. (1914). Trees and shrubs hardy in the British Isles, Vol. 1. p. 323. 7th Ed. 1950. Murray, London.
  3. Phillips, R., & Rix, M. (1989). Shrubs. p. 211. Pan Books Ltd., London. ISBN 0-330-30258-2
  4. Chen, G, Sun, W-B, & Sun, H. (2007). Ploidy variation in Buddleja L. (Buddlejaceae) in the Sino - Himalayan region and its biogeographical implications. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 2007, 154, 305 312. The Linnean Society of London.
  5. Moore, P. (2012). Buddleja List 2011-2012 Longstock Park Nursery. Longstock Park, UK.
  6. Hatch, L. (2007). Cultivars of Woody Plants. Vol. 1. A - G. (2007).TCR Press Horticultural PDF. books.