Himalayan butterfly bush

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Himalayan butterfly bush

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Buddleja tibetica var. farreri
• Buddleja tibetica var. truncatifolia
• Buddleja hastata
• Buddleja tibetica
• Buddleja whitei
• Buddleja crispa var. amplexicaulis
• Buddleja crispa var. glandulifera
• Buddleja agathosma
• Buddleja agathosma var. glandulifera
• Buddleja praecox
• Buddleja sterniana
• Buddleja truncata
• Buddleja truncatifolia
• Buddleja tibetica var. glandulifera
• Buddleja tibetica var. grandiflora
• Buddleja farreri
• Buddleja crispa var. farreri

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales, it is a member of the family Scrophulariaceae. Specifically, Buddleja crispa is identified by the genus Buddleja.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across parts of Asia. In Western Asia, its range includes the countries of Afghanistan and Iran. Within China, it is found across the South-Central and North-Central regions. Additionally, the species extends into the high-altitude areas of Tibet. These diverse locations highlight its presence in both Middle Eastern and East Asian landscapes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Buddleja crispa is defined by its specialized adaptation to high-altitude montane environments, where it occupies a broad vertical niche within its native landscape. This species is primarily found across a significant altitudinal gradient, thriving in diverse topographical settings that range from mid-elevation montane zones to high-altitude alpine regions. Specifically, its distribution spans an elevational range starting from a minimum of 1500 m AMSL, extending through a mean elevation of approximately 2475 m AMSL, and reaching its upper limit at a maximum of 4300 m AMSL. This wide elevational breadth suggests a robust capacity to tolerate varying levels of atmospheric pressure, temperature fluctuations, and ultraviolet exposure characteristic of high-mountain ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

4300 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2475 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Buddleja crispa is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. As a perennial, it establishes a robust root system that supports its long-term survival and ability to regenerate seasonally. Its development involves an initial establishment phase, followed by years of vegetative growth and periodic flowering cycles, which contribute to its longevity in its natural habitat. This perennial lifecycle ensures that the plant can endure environmental fluctuations and continue its reproductive efforts over an extended lifespan.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Buddleja crispa is characterized by a woody growth form, typically manifesting as a robust shrub. It functions as an independent organism, showing no parasitic tendencies, and is strictly a terrestrial plant. In terms of its structural habit, the species exhibits self-supporting qualities, categorized as both a self-supporting liana or vine and a self-supporting obligatory or facultative climber, though its primary development remains that of a perennial shrub.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Buddleja crispa is characterized by a specific flowering season and the production of small fruits. The flowering period typically begins in March and concludes in June, though the timing can be variable across different environments. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruits that exhibit consistent morphological dimensions; these fruits have a minimum length of 0.5 cm, a mean length of 0.55 cm, and can reach a maximum length of up to 0.6 cm.

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit length max:

0.6 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.55 cm

Fruit length min:

0.5 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Buddleja crispa has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3,4-Dihydroxybenzoylaucubin, Agnuside, Buddlejoside A, Buddlejoside B, Compound 2.

3,4-Dihydroxybenzoylaucubin

1. Journal of natural products

Agnuside

1. Journal of natural products

Buddlejoside A

1. Journal of natural products

Buddlejoside B

1. Journal of natural products

Compound 2

1. Journal of enzyme inhibition and medicinal chemistry

Activities

Buddleja crispa has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Journal of enzyme inhibition and medicinal chemistry

Preparations

Buddleja crispa has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of the whole plant.

Ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of the whole plant

1. Journal of enzyme inhibition and medicinal chemistry