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]

Buddleja axillaris
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Genus: Buddleja
Species:
B. axillaris
Binomial name
Buddleja axillaris
Willd. ex Roem. & Schult.
Synonyms
  • Adenoplusia axillaris Radlk.
  • Adenoplusia willdenowii Radlk.
  • Adenoplusia ulugurensis Melch.
  • Buddleja comorensis Bak.

Description

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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

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Buddleja axillaris is not common in cultivation. Hardiness: USDA zone 10.[3]

References

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  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. ISBN 978-0-88192-688-0