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]

Description

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

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

References

  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