10 Buddleja salviifolia Seeds - Sagewood - Indigenous Shrub - Medicinal Herb attracts Butterflies

Buddleja salviifolia Seeds

Sagewood

Buddleja is a genus comprising over 140 species of flowering plants from Asia, Africa and the Americas. The generic name bestowed by Linnaeus posthumously honoured the Reverend Adam Buddle (16621715), an English botanist and rector, at the suggestion of Dr. William Houstoun. The genus Buddleja is now included in the Scrophulariaceae family. Of the approximately 140 species, nearly all are shrubs less than 5 m tall, but a few qualify as trees, the largest reaching 30 m. Both evergreen and deciduous species occur, in tropical and temperate regions respectively. The colour of the flowers varies widely, from mostly pastel pinks and blues in Asia, to vibrant yellows and reds in the New World, while many cultivars have deeper tones. The flowers are generally rich in nectar and often strongly honey-scented.

Buddleja salviifolia is a semi-evergreen bushy shrub that grows up to 4m high under favourable conditions. Its leaves are dark green and conspicuously wrinkled and puckered above, densely covered with whitish or brown hairs below. Leaves can be broadly or narrowly long. Masses of small, white to lilac blooms are borne in large panicles. The flowers are sweetly scented and vary in colour from dull to clear white to almost true purple. Flowering occurs from August to October (spring). Buddleja salviifolia attracts many insects such as bees, butterflies and birds. In a garden design sagewood is useful as a framework or background plant. It is very decorative when in flower. If pruned often, it makes an excellent hedge. Besides its use in horticulture, this plant has other economic uses. Its leaves are browsed by game. Fresh and dried leaves make an aromatic herbal tea. Medicinally, a decoction of roots provides a remedy for cough and for relief of colic while an infusion of the leaves is applied as an eye lotion.