Butterfly bush

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Lindley's Butterflybush

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Adenoplea lindleyana
• Verbena lindleyana
• Buddleja lindleyana var. sinuatodentata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Buddleja lindleyana, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling under the order Lamiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Scrophulariaceae and the genus Buddleja.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across several distinct global regions. In Southwestern Europe, its presence is specifically noted within the country of France. Its range extends significantly into South Tropical Africa, where it can be found in Zimbabwe. Within the Asian continent, the species is located in South-Central and Southeast China. Finally, its distribution reaches Eastern Asia, specifically encompassing the Nansei-shotō islands.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Buddleja lindleyana is closely defined by its specific altitudinal distribution across its native habitats. This species thrives within a broad vertical gradient, occupying diverse ecological niches ranging from low-lying areas to high-altitude environments. Its elevational range begins at a minimum of 200 m AMSL and extends to a maximum altitude of 2700 m AMSL. Throughout this distribution, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 1450 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-elevation montane or subtropical zones while retaining the physiological plasticity to survive both lowland conditions and more temperate, high-altitude ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2700 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1450 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Buddleja lindleyana is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. As a perennial, the plant establishes a robust root system and woody structure that allows it to endure seasonal fluctuations and regrow annually. This longevity enables the plant to invest significant energy into complex reproductive structures, such as its characteristic flowering spikes, which are produced over several years of maturity. Throughout its life, the species undergoes cyclic phases of vegetative growth and reproductive development, adapting its physiological processes to ensure long-term survival and continued seed production within its natural habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Buddleja lindleyana is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a self-supporting shrub. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence rather than an aquatic or semiaquatic habit. Structurally, the plant is classified as a self-supporting shrub, lacking the climbing mechanisms associated with lianas or vines, and relies on its robust, woody stem architecture for stability and upward growth.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Buddleja lindleyana is characterized by the production of small, specialized fruits and minute seeds. The fruits produced by this species typically measure a mean length of 0.55 cm, with individual fruit dimensions ranging from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 0.6 cm. Within these fruits, the seeds are exceptionally lightweight, maintaining a highly consistent mass throughout the population; the seed mass is recorded at a constant value of 4e-05 g, with the mean, minimum, and maximum values all aligning at this specific measurement. This uniformity in seed mass and the small scale of the fruit suggest a specialized dispersal strategy typical of many members of the Scrophulariaceae family.

Fruit length max:

0.6 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.55 cm

Fruit length min:

0.5 cm

Seed mass mean:

4e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Buddleja lindleyana has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Chemicals

Buddleja lindleyana has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include OCTACOSANOIC ACID, Vanillic acid, alpha-Spinasterol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, beta-sitosterol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, daidzein.

OCTACOSANOIC ACID

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Vanillic acid

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

alpha-Spinasterol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

beta-sitosterol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

daidzein

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

oleanane

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

stigmasterol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica